Navua, making their debut in the 2024 Flick Hygiene Pacific Community Cup, has chosen to field an entirely local squad as the tournament opens today at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
Coach Saiyad Ali emphasized the significance of this decision, noting that it provides invaluable international experience to the young players, who will compete against teams featuring both professional and semi-professional athletes. Ali expressed his intent to prioritize the development of his team by allowing these emerging talents to gain match time, especially those who missed the recent Inter District Championship due to academic commitments.
Highlighting the squad’s talent, key players such as national representatives Filipe Baravilala, Thomas Dunn, and Rahul Krishna, along with team members Kolinio Sivoki, Zainal Ali, Matthew Charitar, Simione Damuni, and goalkeeper Jovilisi Borisi, are expected to lead Navua’s campaign. However, the team will be without the Solomon Islands trio of Jackson Wale, Ali Mekawir, and Jared Rongosulia, who have returned home for holidays.
Navua is set to begin their tournament journey against the AuFFI All Stars at 6:15 PM today.
This initiative to utilize local talent not only promotes the development of young players but also strengthens community engagement in the sport. It underscores a hopeful trend where local teams can compete effectively while nurturing the next generation of athletes. Fans can look forward to seeing how this team of young players rises to the challenge and possibly creates upsets throughout the tournament.
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