SUVA: With the World Cup qualifiers now out of the way, the domestic competition in Fiji is now back to normal. But before the resumption of the national league, the annual Fiji FACT district championship will take place in Nadi.
To be held at Prince Charles Park, games will kick off tomorrow and run throughout the weekend. And there is a significant international flavour added to the tournament with several high profile Solomon Island national players accepting invites to take part.
Four Solomon International and a New Zealander will feature for Nadi and Navua respectively.
The hosts Nadi have drafted veteran Solomons striker Batram Suri and rising star Alick Maemae. Commins Menapi the Solomon’s goal scoring hero who scored twice to hold Australia to a 2 all draw at the Oceania play off in Adelaide also bolsters Nadi’s strikeforce.
The Solomons trio will team up with Fiji’s goal scoring machine Veresa Toma. Defending champions Navua have also helped themselves, enlisting William Missibini of the Solomon Islands and Mark Cossey from New Zealand.
Fiji FA Chief Executive Officer Bob Kumar says there has not been any hiccups with preparations. Kumar says Nadi is expected to host thousands of people during the long weekend. Kumar says the first FFA tourney for the year is expected to record a sell out crowd in the final and when it opens on Friday at 4pm.
The Fiji Bitter Fact tourney will also feature a national Under-15 championship and a women’s final that will play the curtain raiser match before the main cup final.