SUVA – With the rain teeming down and squad preparation adversely affected the Fiji Football Association (FFA) has reluctantly postponed the Women’s Inter District Cup (IDC)
tournament that was set to kick-off at Govind Park, Ba, on Friday.
FFA CEO Bob Kumar confirmed the decision yesterday in a statement to local media and said the continuing unfavourable weather conditions had affected the playing surface and
preparation time for the teams.
“We have taken the weather and the timing in consideration and called it off,” Kumar said.
“It will now be played at a later date which we will announce at a later date.”
The decision to postpone was not made easily with women’s football in Fiji experiencing a boost after the women’s national team performed impressively at the XIII South Pacific Games
– Samoa 2007 where Farouk Janeman’s team won it’s pool before losing in a dramatic semi-final against Tonga.
Fiji later clinched the bronze medal after beating Tahiti 1-0 thanks to a goal from Unaisi Vatulili.
The three day IDC tournament was set to get the ball rolling on another busy Fiji football season.
The decision to postpone means the 2008 season will now start with the men’s promotion/relegation series between Nadroga and Savusavu on Saturday week at Lawaqa Park.
This will coincide with the National Club Championships (NCC) zonal play-offs.
All districts need to nominate their clubs by Friday.
“We have informed the districts that only those clubs will be accommodated,” Kumar said.
“Club that finish on top after the completion of the local league.”
“Districts can’t nominate clubs through knockout or just by having the leaders of the competition half way.”
This has meant districts like Suva will not have their clubs play in the NCC.
Suva has failed to finish its local league.
“The clubs are the ones who should push the districts to complete the local league,” Kumar said.
“Most districts tend to just concentrate on the National Soccer League and tournaments but forget the local league.”
FIJI JOY: Fiji women celebrate qualification for the semi-finals of the XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007