The draw for the competition has not been kind to Ba and has pitched them against Southern giants Navua, Rewa, Labasa and neighbours Tavua. Hosts Nadi head the other pool and will face Nadroga, Lautoka, Suva and Nasinu.
Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) chief executive officer Bob Kumar says everything is in place for the second major tournament of the year (the first was May’s Vodafone Fiji FACT championship, also won by Ba).
This year’s competition has a proud history to live up to.
“The Battle of the Giants started in 1978 after Suva hosted the Inter District Championship and were in financial difficulties. They were to repay the guaranteed sum to the Fiji FA and decided that the only way to do this was to organise a tournament,” Kumar says.
“A Battle of the Giants has been played every year since then and this will be the 32nd year of the tournament.”
The event will be held over two weekends with the first round of matches to be staged on August 15 at TFL National Stadium in Suva.
The tournament proper will take place from August 19 to 22 at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.
Inkk Mobile has extended its sponsorship for a further two years and has contributed a sum of FJD 40,000 for this year’s event. The winner is set to walk away with $11,000 while the runner-up will receive $4,000 and the two losing semi-finalists $1,000 each.
The telecommunications firm is part of the CJ Patel Group of Companies and general manager Pranil Singh is pleased for the relationship with Fiji FA to continue as it has been a success so far.
“We have extended our partnership in various other competitions in Fiji football this year and it has been beneficial for the company,” he says.
“This is our social obligation to give back whatever is offered to us by the community of Fiji. We started with Fiji FA last year and the success of the Battle of the Giants has given us confidence.
“I would like to thank Paul O’Neil, the managing director of Inkk Mobile, for his support to our company which has made it possible for us to extend this sponsorship.”
Kumar is just as thankful for the backing.
“Inkk Mobile joined us last year and came at the right time when our sponsors decided to withdraw. They came to our rescue and signed a two-year contract – this is the second year of sponsorship,” he says.
“On behalf of Fiji FA and President Dr Muhammed Shams-Ud-Dean Sahu Khan, I wish to express our sincere thanks to Inkk Mobile and the management of CJ Patel and company.”
Story and photo courtesy of Fiji FA Media.
For the latest news visit the Fiji FA website