BA – They say that there is only one thing which ever person in Ba, be it a player, fan, student or just a citizen of the town, knows and that is football.
This was proven and taken to another level today as Ba town came to a standstill as thousands gathered to celebrate the success of the district side which won 69th Courts Homecentres Inter District
Competition last Sunday.
While many around the Oceania region would know what the strength of Ba is, most would be unaware of the huge fan base the side enjoys back at home.
Football is the only sport in which the district excels in and almost everyone spilled onto the streets to share the spoils from the IDC.
The players were the main attractions on the day as everyone tried to catch a glimpse of their heroes.
Fijian internationals Josaia Bukalidi, Malakai Kenihewe, Avinesh Swamy, Shalen Lal, Tuimasi Manuca, Malakai Tiwa and Jone Vesikula received huge cheers.
But this was not to say that young and upcoming layers like Niumaia Tagi, Rinal Prasad, Epeli Codro along with veterans Kiniviliame Naika and Keni Doidoi were not noticed.
To put in simple terms each player was the hero of the day and this is not because they bought the glory to Ba, but because they did against all odds.
With the departure of brothers Osea Vakatalesau and
Peni Finau to Youngheart Manuwatu, regular goalkeeper Laisenia Tuba suspended, Robert Wise (broken leg), Roneel Kumar (Waitakere United) and Luke Vidovi (New Zealand), many thought the traditional
kings of Fiji football were not strong.
However all critics were made to eat their words as Ba with a mixture of young and old lifted the IDC title for the 22nd time.
Ba mayor Pravin Bala said Ba had shown that it was a true giant of Fiji soccer.
“We have had many which wrote us off but the players did what they are best at and got the title back to Ba,” Bala said.
“For that I must congratulate them and tell everyone never to write off Ba.”
Each member of the victorious side got $2000 apart from the gifts which the players received.
Apart from the 20 players, who were part of the IDC, the other players who were part of the side during the year will also be given rewards.
Ba president Rishi Kumar said the players were rewarded handsomely as they had done the district proud.
We had each player showered with cash and gifts and we wanted to honor the players who against all odds bought us the glory, Kumar said.
“Many had written Ba off but these players played their hearts out and bought us the glory.”
He said the support of the people of Ba had shown that soccer was truly a uniting factor for the people of the town.
“We had so many people come out to see their heroes and we felt proud that we were able to achieve something for them,” he said.
Kenihewe said they were proud to have bought the smiles on thousands of faces as the win was for all the people of Ba.
“It is a great moment for Ba,” Kenihewe, the younger brother of former Fiji skipper Esala Masi said.
Bukalidi said it was through the almighty that they were able to celebrate the win with their fans.
After a few weeks off, Ba will march back into camp on January 2 to prepare for the O League.
BA DELIGHT: Dignataries beam as Ba celebrate IDC victory parade