The Labasa Football Academy is set to embark on an exciting $2 million development project starting in March. This announcement was made by Mohammed Yusuf, the chief executive of the Fiji Football Association (FA), in a recent interview.
The upcoming development will feature a high-performance training pitch, with the official inauguration scheduled to coincide with the Battle of the Giants tournament in August. Additionally, the Fiji FA has been proactive in enhancing football facilities nationwide, having invested around $500,000 in constructing beach soccer and futsal courts at their academies in Labasa and Ba. The association has also successfully re-established three futsal courts, further demonstrating their commitment to expanding football within the country.
Yusuf expressed his pride in the accomplishments achieved this year, highlighting how the new facilities and successful tournaments are intended to inspire the next generation of players. He emphasized the association’s ambitious goals for 2025, hoping to bring their plans to fruition.
In addition to the improvements to the Labasa Academy, the Fiji FA is also pursuing the Lomolomo Land Project, which seeks governmental approval to rezone land for a $1.5 million high-performance center. This project will include two grounds, a stadium, and dedicated facilities for beach soccer and futsal.
On the competitive front, the Fiji FA enjoyed significant success over the past year with various major local tournaments. Lautoka successfully defended its title during the Digicel Pacific Fiji FACT event held at Subrail Park in Labasa in June. They also claimed the Rooster Chicken/Scoops Ice Cream Battle of the Giants title at the HFC Bank Stadium. Additionally, Labasa emerged victorious at the FMF Inter-District Championship and continued their dominance by winning the end-of-year Cecil’s National Club Championship.
This development represents a significant investment in the future of football in Fiji, with the potential to uplift the sport and nurture young talent, paving the way for a vibrant football community moving forward. The initiatives not only enhance facilities but also invigorate local competitions, fostering a promising future for the sport in the region.
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