18-Acre Land Secured For Fiji FA Stadium

The Fiji Football Association will build a new international stadium at Lomolomo, Lautoka. It will consist of a High Performance Centre, Beach Football Court and two football pitches.

This was revealed at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Suva, where Fiji FA hosted FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura to a dinner on Sunday night.

Samoura who arrived last Saturday night confirmed to increase the next phase of budget by US$2million (FJ$4m) to improve on infrastructures in promoting the game and develop women football.

Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf said a part of the fund from the next phase would be used to start off the project.

“It is an 18-acre land. It will depend on the level of funding we get. It will be a high performance centre, beach soccer court, two football pitches- one natural and one artificial and then we will work at the seating,” he said.

“The US$2m (FJ$4m) increase will be included but we will also be applying for a special funding for the stadium project.

“The stadium access will be about US$3m (FJ$6m) to start off then we will ask additional funding for the stadium, seating and all that.

“The stadium will be a sports tourism hub that will allow teams in who are in winter in the North to come down to Fiji during summer to play.”

Yusuf added that women’s futsal competition would also be introduced.

PM’s invite The revelation was made before Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, Minster for Commerce, Tourism and Trade Faiyaz Koya and Fiji National Sports Commission executive chairman Peter Mazey.

Following the announcement Samoura indicated there would be in increase in the number of teams in the next FIFA World Cup.

She has also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister Bainimarama to next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup despite the Fijian Kula not qualifying.

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

It will mark the first time in FIFA history that a women’s or men’s World Cup tournament will be hosted by more than one country and the first time the Oceania nations are hosting.

“We will be extending from 32 teams to 48 in the next World Cup meaning there will be additional slot for the Oceania,” she said.

“Please take this opportunity to welcome Fiji also on the biggest competition on earth that will take place in two countries four years from now.”

Funds accounted for “From what I have seen, the little money that Fiji FA receives I think we can say that

the money FIFA is injecting for football in Fiji is well spent here.

“Hopefully, other countries in the countries will be using Fiji as a good reference.”

So far, FIFA funds are used by Fiji FA to construct the Ba and Suva academies while the Labasa academy is about to be opened.

Samoura met with Minister for Education Premila Kumar yesterday to discuss the Football for Schools programmes.

Meanwhile, FIFA president Gianni Infantino is expected to make his maiden visit to Fiji to commission the international stadium once it is completed.

Story By: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj