Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere will officially open the Vodafone Fiji FACT 2020 tournament at Subrail Park, Labasa tomorrow.

This was confirmed yesterday Fiji Football Association chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf.

“We’re grateful to have the Tui Macuata as our chief guest,” he said.

“This is part of Fiji FA’s approach in bringing one of their major tournaments to Vanua Levu to help boost its economy.”

Football fans around the country are going to converge at Labasa for the next five days to watch the tournament and follow the progress of their respective teams.

For the first time, six Vodafone Senior Division teams in Vanua Levu are going to play in another competition.

The teams are Dreketi, Nadogo, Taveuni, Seaqaqa, Bua and Savusavu.

“The competition of the senior division teams is fully funded by Fiji FA. This is to give all the Vanua Levu teams more game time,” Yusuf said.

He also called on football fans to be at Subrail Park from tomorrow and not to miss all the football action.

“There will be exciting pool games as the teams will fight for survival and progress to the semi-finals.”

“Hosts Labasa has to beat Nasinu convincingly if they are to stand a chance of qualifying before they take on Ba.”

“Likewise Lautoka and Navua who play each other on Wednesday as they need a win to keep their chances of qualifying alive,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Vodafone Futsal IDC 2020 pool draws was held on Sunday at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.

Defending champions Suva have been drawn in a tough Group A with Vodafone Futsal League Southern Zone champions Navua, last year’s semi-finalist Rewa, Nadroga, and Northern champions Labasa.

Last year’s runners-up Lami lead Group B with Nadi, Ba, Tailevu Naitasiri, and Tavua.

National futsal coach Mira Sahib anticipates a tough battle in the group stages.

“This year we have increased the teams to ten after a successful 2019 Vodafone Futsal IDC which is going to be more competitive and intense matches,” said Sahib.

“Navua has proved they are a team to be reckoned with after finishing top in the southern zone Vodafone Futsal League after joining this season while Labasa also looks a strong side with all district reps,”

Sahib says all the teams will be equally competitive.

“We can count out Tavua, Tailevu/Naitasiri, and Nadroga as they are also good teams and will come in as underdogs in the tournament,”

The tournament is scheduled to be held at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva from December 3-6.

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