Kativerata contract ends, new Bati coach soon

The three year contract of Fiji Bati head coach Wise Kativerata has expired on March 31.

This was confirmed to SUN­sports yesterday by Fiji National Sports Commission (FNSC) chief executive officer Peter Mazey.

He said all international Coach­ing Grants are issued under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the individual Na­tional Sports Organisation (NSO) and the Commission.

Asked if any renewal signing was done between the Commission and the Fiji National Rugby League (FNRL), Mazey said; "The coaches' employment contract is not with the Commission but is between the NSO and the coach.

Once a new coach is appointed then a new MOA will be arranged.

This applies to FNRL in the same way and as such we will await confirmation from FNRL on new coach."

When contacted FNRL board chairman Rajesh Singh said they have interviewed three NRL (Na­tional Rugby League) coaches who had applied.

"The interview panel has made their presentation to the board and a decision on who will be the new Fiji Bati coach will be an­nounced soon," he said.

Singh said it was unfortunate that they had to raise the bar when it came to the coaching re­quirements, which ruled out the local coaches.

"However, we'll ensure the local coaches are given the opportu­nity to understudy the head coach as they continue on with their coaching accreditations. With the help of NRL, we'll look at a path­way to further develop our local coaches."

The Rugby League World Cup will be played in Australia and kicks off in October.