Parking, safety fears over shared Subrail Park booking

For the first time, the Duavata Northern Crime Prevention Carnival and the Labasa Sanatan Tournament will be held at the same venue during the same week.

Labasa Town Council special administrator Paul Jaduram confirmed the arrangement today.

The soccer tournament, featuring 44 teams from across Vanua Levu, will be held from July 23 to August 2 on Ground One at Subrail Park, Labasa.

The week-long carnival will run from July 24 to August 1 on Ground Two.

Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha Fiji Labasa Sanatan Sabha president Avitesh Deo said the organisation was unhappy with the council's booking arrangement.

"We booked the park with the council in March this year. However, last month we were told to share the space with the carnival committee because they had also booked the venue for the same period," Mr Deo said.

"We are unhappy because there will not be enough parking for spectators and participants. There will also be noise from the carnival, which could affect communication between referees and players. There are also safety concerns."

Labasa Town Council special administrator Paul Jaduram and Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha Fiji Labasa Sanatan Sabha president Avitesh Deo on December 20, 2025.

Photos: Shratika Naidu

Mr Deo said organisers were also concerned that soccer balls could enter the carnival grounds, potentially damaging property or injuring members of the public.

Duavata Northern Crime Prevention Carnival chairperson Satish Kumar said the carnival dates could not be changed because the event had already been publicly announced.

"This is an annual programme. Apart from fundraising for a worthy cause, we also raise awareness about drugs with the support of the Fiji Police Force," Mr Kumar said.

"We have already informed the council that we are satisfied with the sports committee continuing with its scheduled programme while we continue with ours."

Mr Jaduram said the council was aware of the concerns raised.

"We had a meeting with representatives of both organisations and they mutually agreed to proceed with their annual programmes during the same week," Mr Jaduram said.

"If everyone works together, I do not think there will be any problem because both events will benefit the people of the Northern Division."