FOOTBALL fever returns to Ba this afternoon as the 96th TISI Sangam Convention kicks off with a highly anticipated clash between defending champions Nadi TIV and Valley TIV in the Super Premier Division at 4pm.
A total of 74 football teams, including 49 local sides and 25 overseas-based teams from New Zealand, Australia, the USA, and Canada, will battle it out over the next few days.
Matches will be played across four divisions, the Super Premier Division featuring 32 teams grouped into eight pools, the Premier Division with 10 teams in three pools, the Masters category with 25 teams, and the Legends division comprising seven teams.
Games Committee chairman Upendra Gounder said the matches will be hosted across 17 different grounds in Ba. He confirmed that apart from football, the convention will also include netball and volleyball competitions, which will begin on Saturday, while snooker will be played at the South Seas Club in Lautoka.
Gounder said the event is expected to draw a crowd of around 4,000 to 5,000 people from across the globe, bringing together communities for a celebration of sports and culture.
He also revealed that several former district and national football representatives will be lacing up their boots, adding an extra layer of excitement to the tournament.
“After a long time, we are bringing the convention back to Ba.
“We just hope for good weather so everyone can enjoy the full experience,” he said.
All eyes will be on the defending champions this afternoon as Nadi TIV looks to make a strong start in their title defence, setting the pace for what promises to be an exciting weekend of football and festivities.
