Football Officials Unaware of Pro League Move

The move by the Fiji Football Association to field a team in next year’s Oceania Football Confederations (OFC) Professional League competition has caught many district officials by surprise.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, Nadi Football Association president, Mohammed Mohin Rafiq, said they are fully behind the move.

“It is a good initiative and big news for the growth of football (in the country) from amateur to professional level,” Rafiq said.

However, Rafiq, was unaware of this development, he believes the Council meeting on February 4, the Fiji FA board and executives would reveal more.

He said to improve the standard of football at domestic level is an urgent need when taking into consideration Fiji’s 168th ranking with FIFA.

Rafiq indicated that the move would see professional coaches leading a professional bunch of players in the League.

“Player welfare will improve and the entire playing structure within each district will improve to meet the required level,” he said.

Lautoka Football Association president, Shalendra Prasad, when contacted said he was unaware of such development.

“I cannot comment now, I don’t know about this competition and will be better informed in Fiji FA’s meeting next month,” he said.

However, newly appointed Labasa coach, Ravneel Pratap, said football development in the country must be initiated so that the future generation of players play at the highest level of the game. Fiji’s lone professional player, Roy Krishna, playing for Odisha FC in the Indian Super League, remains the benchmark for all local footballers.

Pratap said creating an environment of professional nature in football, helps players focus on the game with their best effort. The benefits are plentiful by securing overseas contracts that pay well, which is the big dream for most of our local players.

Fiji FA chief executive officer, Mohammed Yusuf, said they were working on appointing a board who would spearhead the setting up of the Fijian professional football team.

“The board in its meeting has endorsed a Fiji Pro League team under our banner to take part,” he said.

“We will formally appoint our board of directors in our council meeting (next month) for this project.

“They will then take charge and recruit coaching staff and set-up.”

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