Two Development Centres were opened in the Northern Division with Fiji FA vice-presidents Edwin Chand and Girja Prasad doing the honours at Batnikama Development Centre in Labasa and Seaqaqa Central College respectively.
Fiji FA acting technical director Ravinesh Kumar says this occasion marks establishment of the 10th Development Centre around the country, with five Centres of Excellence adding to their youth development arsenal.
“The Development Centres are to develop players from primary schools before they are moved to the Centre of Excellence for further development,” Kumar says.
“This is part of the Fiji Football Association’s initiative to develop players, and 30 players will be drafted in to the centres and once they are fully-developed will then be transferred to the Centre of Excellence.”
For the children of the Northern Division it’s an excellent opportunity that they should be taking full advantage of, says Chand.
“I think the opening of these Development Centres will boost the morale of young footballers and I urge parents to take the opportunity to send their children and make the most of Fiji Football’s development programme.”
He adds that the quality football equipment available as well as qualified coaches, will provide further development benefits.
“Youngsters will learn the basics of football and will turn out to be very good football platers like our very own Roy Krishna.”
The Centre of Excellence at Seaqaqa Central College will be responsible for training U-16 and U-18 players from Seaqaqa, Tabia and Dreketi and leading the programme will be Sanjesh Lal who will be joined by fellow coaches Shalvin Chand and Navneel Sharma.
“There are lots of young and skilful players in Seaqaqa who need to be nutured and exposed,” Lal says.
“We are thankful to Fiji FA for looking at our district and establishing the centre here.”
While opening the centre, Prasad took the opportunity to urge residents to use it.
“I urge you all to make use of this opportunity and join the centre and who knows, one of you from Seaqaqa might make your name in the world.”
Fiji FA has now established Development Centres in Ba, Nasinu, Suva, Nawai in Nadi, Labasa, Savusavu, Nadroga, Tavua and Navua.
The 11th Development Centre will open this week in Rakiraki, while Centres of Excellence have been established in Ba, Labasa, Seaqaqa, Suva and Nasinu.
For more on Fiji football visit fijifootball.com.fj.

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