Back to business, Nadi next for MIB

The Ilisoni Lolaivalu-captained Roylux Realty Ba football side has put their BiC Fiji FACT victory celebration on hold as they now turn their focus on this weekend’s Extra Premier League (EPL) matches.

Ba hosts Tagimoucia Nadi at Govind Park on Sunday.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, Ba Football Association president Praneel Dayal said the team’s focus has now shifted back to EPL duties.

“Basically, we are heading back to Ba and from tomorrow we start preparing for the league match on Sunday,” Dayal said.

“We are back to business. We have a very important league match against Nadi. It is a home game, and the boys are determined to do well.”

BONUS PAYOUT

Dayal said celebrations for the Fiji FACT victory would be decided by the Ba FA board at a later date.

“For the celebrations, it’s not at the moment. I have to go back to the board and we will fix a date and time for the celebration.”

He said players would receive a share of the $17,000 prize money and bonuses after discussions with the board and sponsors.

“We have promised the boys a bonus. Once the board sits down, we will get more support from Ba businesses and sponsors, and then decide how much each player will get.”

Dayal said winning the tournament in Labasa was a major achievement for the club.

“Winning Fiji FACT after 16 years and bringing a cup from Vanua Levu after 51 years is a big achievement for me as president. The boys have worked really hard,” he said. “They were determined. After beating Labasa, we knew playing Navua would also be difficult. We worked hard and the results went our way.”

SPECIAL WIN

Meanwhile, former Ba and Fiji defender Malakai Kanahawe said the victory had a special meaning for him.

“I was part of the team that won the Fiji FACT back in 2010,” Kanahawe who was with the team throughout Fiji FACT said.

“This win is very touching because my father, Waisea Naicovu, was part of the Ba team that last won the tournament in Labasa in 1975.”

Kanahawe said although he was not born at the time, his father had told him about Ba’s historic victory.

“My dad said former Ba FA president Sashi Mahendra Singh chartered a flight for him to play in the final.

“It was the last time Ba won in Labasa until Sunday, so it is very special for me,” he added.