The Nadi Football Association is seeking approximately $17,000 to prepare for the upcoming 2024 FMF Inter-District Championship, which will take place at Churchill Park in Lautoka next week.
Lawrence Kumar, an executive member of the Nadi FA board, shared this information during a fundraiser held at Sylvia Hall in Malolo, Nadi, last Saturday night, which saw a large turnout of fans.
“The event was a monumental success with a significant number of supporters attending,” Kumar noted. “We need $17,000 to fund our campaign, and we are looking for additional sponsors to help us break the 22-year drought in the IDC.”
Kumar stated that while the team performed well at the B.O.G tournament, they fell short in the final. Nonetheless, he expressed optimism, saying that the team’s morale is high, and they are focused on winning the cup in the next tournament.
Nadi FA President Mohin Rafiq mentioned that former Fiji Under-20 captain Abdulla Aiyaz has integrated well into the team after joining last week. Aiyaz, who is based in Sydney, is expected to work alongside striker Ali Naseri, whose travel arrangements are being finalized.
“We are excited about Abdulla Aiyaz joining us from Sydney. We are also in the process of securing Ali Naseri’s travel documents. I appreciate the arrival of head coach Raj Dayal, who is quickly becoming a valuable part of the team. We started with one training session and have now progressed to two this week,” Rafiq stated.
On Sunday, the Green Machine played a friendly match against Navua, which ended in a 1-1 draw at Prince Charles Park in Nadi. “The match was free for all spectators, providing a great opportunity for our fans to come out and support the team,” he added.
In addition to the fundraising efforts, ticket prices for the IDC are designed to be accessible for fans of all ages. Grandstand tickets are set at $30 for adults and $15 for children under 10, while Pavilion B tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 10. Fans in the Drua stands will pay $15 for adults and $8 for children under 10. Embankment tickets are available for $10 for adults and $5 for children under 10.