Cricket Fiji is optimistic about welcoming a new national coach from India by January next year, aiming to bolster the under-19 girls’ and men’s teams in their preparations for upcoming international competitions. The organization is currently in talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to secure a qualified candidate for this vital role.
Cricket Fiji CEO Siti Rokoro shared that the initiative to recruit an Indian coach stems from a discussion between Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Rabuka’s visit in August. This collaboration is seen as an opportunity to enhance the level of cricket in Fiji by learning from the experiences of one of the leading cricket nations in the world.
“We are negotiating through the embassy here and the BCCI to get a coach hopefully by January next year,” Rokoro stated. The organization has outlined their requirements and received updates indicating that advertisements for potential candidates have been posted. However, given that Cricket Fiji did not allocate funds for an expatriate coach in their budget submission, they might have to manage without financial support from the Fiji National Sports Commission.
“If the coach arrives in January, it will provide our local coaches with invaluable advice,” Rokoro noted. The teams are gearing up for two significant international tournaments next year, starting with the girls’ U19 tournament in Papua New Guinea in April, marking the second time Fiji’s girls’ team will compete in the World Cup qualifier. Following that, the men’s team will also participate in a World Cup qualifier in Japan.
As Cricket Fiji anticipates the arrival of the new coach, they view this as part of their broader goals for the 2026 season, focusing on elevating the standards of cricket in the nation and providing local coaches with necessary technical guidance. This proactive approach reflects Cricket Fiji’s commitment to developing cricket in the region and fostering talent among its youth teams.
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