Comply, Patel Tells Districts
"He said these district have failed to comply but instead have given their AGM dates which is going to be held after the 2019 Vodafone Fiji FACT tournament."
Saturday 04 May 2019 | 18:50
Front from left: New Fiji FA women’s vice president Naziah Ali, chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf, president Rajesh Patel and women’s football director Susan Wise with board memebers after the Fiji FA Congress in Lautoka on May 3, 2019. Photo: Rohit Kumar
Re-elected Fiji Football Association president Rajesh Patel said three premier districts did not hold their annual general meeting on time and this resulted in the late start of their local league competition.
Patel revealed this during the 81st Fiji FA congress in Lautoka yesterday.
He said these district have failed to comply but instead have given their AGM dates which is going to be held after the 2019 Vodafone Fiji FACT tournament.
“There is a penalty and grant will not be given to them until they hold their AGM and also start their club competition as well,” he said.
“This is part of development and ensuring that they comply with the status and everything too.
“The reason we are enforcing it now is because it was always taken for granted before. People get the money for vote buying during the election year.
‘We will enforce the rules and regulations and this is something the districts will benefit and they will become better administrators especially in getting their accounts in order.
“Full compliance and acquittals for all grants must be submitted on time and grants must be utilised for the purpose it is given for.”
NO CANCELLATION
Patel further added that Fiji FA will not postpone any matches which is a warning to districts that no excuses will be entertained as the competition will have to finish on time.
“All districts requiring any assistance are reminded to direct their queries to the CEO of Fiji FA and not approach any third party to get clarification or advice.”
He said there are 10 clubs in the Super Premier and six clubs in the Senior Division.
Patel further mentioned that Fiji FA would make some changes to fully comply with the FIFA requirements.
“The standing committee members will shrink from 16 to 9. The judicial and financial bodies will be elected by congress on the BOC’s (Board of Control) recommendation and they will have an eligible committee to confirm all nominations and the process will have completed independently.”
FUTSAL
In the meeting, Patel also confirmed that they want to have a well-structured and established Futsal programme in Fiji.
He said there would be a lot of OFC competitions in 2019 and 2020 and they will have a full-time Futsal development officer who will be tasked to work closely with the Futsal Commission and ensure a regular Zonal Futsal competition.
“The board has given another chance to districts who wish to qualify for the second finals in August where the winner will get to go to New Zealand for OFC Club Futsal competition.”
ISRAEL TOUR
Patel said the Vodafone Fijian U17 team that are playing Israel lost their opening match 5-0 to Ukraine.
They are going to play Northern Ireland next before facing Israel.
-Edited by Leone Cabenatabua
Feedback: rohit.kumar@fijisun.com.fj
