RAKIRAKI will hold its Courts Inter District Championship premier division title victory celebrations next Saturday.
The Maroons regained the Fiji FA trophy after beating Nasinu 2-1 in the final at the ANZ Stadium.
Edwin Raju and Sumeet Krishan scored for Rakiraki while Robert Nair scored Nasinu’s lone goal from the penalty spot.
It is a seven-year wait for Rakiraki to celebrate the IDC victory.
Rakiraki Football Association president Shaneel Gounder said Golden Point Resort came on board as a last minute sponsor for the team for the IDC.
Gounder said support was pouring in after the victory.
“The business houses are coming up with gift packs for the players,” he said.
“Our celebrations will be held after Diwali. We will invite the under-14 team to join us. Though they did not qualify for the final but the youngsters did well to become the zone champions.”
In 2007, Rakiraki defeated Tailevu Naitasiri 3-0 in the final. The side also lifted the trophy in 2006, 2004 and 2004.
Gounder said the aim next year would be to move up to the super premier level.
He said Tailevu Naitasiri had laid the platform by re-entering the tier one level with the new automatic promotion-relegation format.
“Seven years is a long time to finally taste victory and now I think we have to lift ourselves up a level next year,” Gounder said.
“There are a few young players in the team that we are grooming. Unfortunately we could not utilise them at the IDC because they had examinations.
“With the IDC victory, there is bright prospect for the next season.”
Rakiraki won $6000.