During a parliamentary debate on the Nadi Town Council’s annual report on Monday, Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya pointed out that the park currently known as Prince Charles Park, which is set to be renamed King Charles Park, was originally designated as AD Patel Stadium.
Koya expressed concern about the change, stating, “One thing that is forgotten, and I hope I am not wrong, but I am hoping this name is not forgotten within Prince Charles Park. The actual stadium was named AD Patel Stadium.” He noted that in his travels around Nadi, he observed that the original name seems to have been erased.
He emphasized that removing this name would be disrespectful, as it honors an individual who played a significant role in Fiji’s history. “Because it is for someone who was part of our history and has done a lot for this particular country, that name should remain on that particular stadium,” Koya remarked.
Koya urged that the AD Patel name be restored, asserting, “Please, have a look and check it, and I hope that it actually still remains as AD Patel Stadium, as it has been there for many, many years. He is an important part of Fiji’s history.”
Minister for Local Government Maciu Nalumisa acknowledged the need for the name change to King Charles Park due to the shift in the monarchy. He confirmed that the council has reached out to the British High Commission regarding the protocol for this name change.