Fusion Club of Lami was crowned the champions of the Digicel Beach Soccer Championship last Saturday at Fiji Sports Council Beach Soccer Field in Laucala.
Fusion, who were made up of players who play together in the Lami Regional Futsal League, defeated PTB FC 4-1 in the final after a 3-2 win over Brother FC in the semi-final.
Club founder and player Kavnil Lal said he was thrilled to win the competition in their first time playing Beach Soccer together.
“Winning the title is a great achievement on our debut,” Lal said.
“It was a great opportunity for us to play and I am proud the boys did well despite playing in the heat.”
The competition is part of Fiji’s plans to compete in Oceania national team competitions going forward, with Fiji Football Association (FFA) Head of Futsal and Beach Soccer Jerry Sam keen to the game grow.
“There is huge potential for players in Beach Soccer, which I have seen today (Saturday) in the competition, and they just need proper guidance to excel,” Sam said.
“We are also planning to host a Beach Soccer championship on the Sigatoka sand dunes next year for the western teams.”
FFA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf pledged the organisation’s support for the continued growth of Beach Soccer in Fiji.
“We have seen the interest from players who want to play the code and that is why we are focusing on developing Beach Soccer around the country,” he said.
“Our plans are to take beach soccer to maritime islands like Yasawa, Kadavu, and Lau where we have beautiful beaches, so that we can grow Beach Soccer.
“Fiji FA is planning to build its own beach soccer pitches in Suva, Ba and Labasa.”