The eighth teams in the Premier Division have known their faith whom they will play in the 2017 Vodafone Fiji FA Cup Tournament to be held at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.
The Pool draws were done yesterday at Vodafone Fiji Shop at FNPF Plaza in which the host Rewa is drawn with neighbors Suva, CVC champions Lautoka and new comers Rakiraki in Group B while defending champions Nadi will battle against Labasa, Ba and Dreketi.
Vodafone Fiji’s chief marketing officer Rajnesh Prasad in address said Vodafone Fiji was proud to once again have partnered with Fiji FA in staging the most anticipated Football Tournament in Fiji – The 2017 Vodafone Fiji FACT.
“We all are gathered here to unveil which teams will battle each other in the group stage of the tournament at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori next month. Vodafone’s commitment for sport is reflected through the many levels of football sponsorship that Vodafone provides to take the sport to greater heights,” Prasad said.
Prasad said Vodafone Fiji FACT not only provided a platform for our Fijian players to make name for themselves by portraying their football talents but also to earn a name for their districts.
“With the football festivities lined up, we anticipate another good year in Football. To kick off the soccer mania momentum, we have all the ingredients to spice up the 2017 Vodafone Fiji FACT.”
“The stakes are high as the defending champions; Nadi will battle to defend their title. And we welcome newcomers; Rakiraki to battle it out with the premier giants,” Prasad added.
With these words,Prasad said I wish to congratulate Fiji FA for their part in organizing the Vodafone Fiji FACT 2017 and convey our best wishes to all the teams partaking in this year’s tournament.
Fiji FA Senior Vice President Yogeshwar said the 2017 Vodafone Fiji Fact marks the 27th year of the tournament which began in the year 1991.
“Fiji FA after the events of 1987, Fiji FA was looking for ways to revive football and meet their increased financial commitments. In 1988 Fiji FA organized and open tournament to mark the beginning of post 1987 football. It was a success played in Ba and won by Nadroga,”Singh said.
Singh said in 1990, the proposal for an additional tournament at the beginning of the season was made and in 1991 the Fiji FA cup tournament or Fiji Fact was first played at Govind Park.
“The overwhelming crowd support and the level of competition convinced Fiji FA to make it an annual event. The assertion of the tournament marked the beginning of a major three tournament football calendar for Fiji FA apart from National League.”
The vice president added that the good thing of the tournament was that the districts also benefit from this.
“After all the expense we give the fifty percent of the profit to the eight districts taking part which is very good thing from Fiji Football and in this the sponsors play a very vital role.
Singh thanked Vodafone Fiji for the continuous support in the development of football in Fiji.
Fiji FA chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf introduced a new system of pool draws which was similar to the FIFA World Cup pool draws where the teams were seeded according to their rankings.
Rewa as host and Nadi as defending champions were put in one pot to decide the which to go in while last year’s semi-finalist Suva and Labasa were Pot 2 while Ba and Lautoka were Pot 3 with Dreketi and Rakiraki in Pot 4.
The Vodafone Fiji FACT pool games will be played at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori from Friday May 12 to Sunday May 14 and the final play off will be held the following week with a venue yet to be decided.
