A Labasa Football Club die-hard fan, Bissun Deo, will be cheering his heart out for his side when they take on Lautoka in the semi-finals of the 2023 Digicel Fiji FACT at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva today.
The 72-year-old farmer has never missed a Labasa match at the Fiji FACT for the past six years and has been given free entry to this year’s semi-finals by Fiji Football Association CEO Mohammed Yusuf.
“He has been attending all Labasa FC’s matches at the Fiji FACT competition since 2017. There was one particular incident where he travelled from Vanua Levu to watch the games but had to return home when the games were postponed because of bad weather,” he said.
“Ever since then, we have been giving him free tickets to the Fiji FACT competition.”
Deo, who is a sugarcane cutter from Vucivuci, Labasa, says he would save up for weeks before the competition to be able to cheer for his home side.
“I always come to watch Labasa play in tournaments with hope and today I am very happy that we have qualified for the semi-finals,” he said.
“I have to start my savings after our cane-cutting season just to watch Labasa at all the major tournaments.
“I am a loyal fan and I always support Labasa and have been here for the last two weeks and going back with glory is something I can’t wait for.”
Labasa is undefeated in the competition and faces a tough Lautoka side at 2pm today.
“I am very thankful to Fiji FA CEO Mohammed Yusuf for giving me free entry and this is not the first time I have been gifted with this, I am always given great respect by the association.
“I believe in my heart that Labasa will be able to bring glory back to Vanua Levu.”
Meanwhile, Rewa FC will be taking on a young Ba FC side in the second semi-final at 4.30pm. The final is tomorrow at 3pm.
