There seems to be more questions then answers to the handling of the booking of Albert Park in Suva with conflicting views arising from the three parties involved.
Yesterday in an interview with Times Sport, the Suva City Council stated their reasons for giving priority to the Fiji Rugby Union instead of the Fiji Football Association.
The FRU had told this newspaper that they booked for Albert Park on February 4 while it is understood that Fiji FA booked in May.
SCC acting chief executive Tevita Boseiwaqa confirmed this and stated that negotiations with both sporting organisations were ongoing.
The issue was that both parties were yet to pay for a deposit.
“The difference is FRU is willing to pay for the four grounds for training whereas the other party (Fiji FA) has reservations, they are still negotiating on the rate,” Boseiwaqa said.
SCC also argued that the 18-day period requested by Fiji Football does not go in line with their preferences.
The Council preferred that trainings at the park be held for a period of three to four days to give chances to other sporting bodies.
However, Fiji FA general manager operations Anushil Kumar argued that they have held international tournaments in Fiji where Albert Park was engaged for more than five days at least.
The recent example being the 2024 OFC U16 girls’ championship with which Albert Park was engaged for training for a period of 18 days.
“They (SCC) clearly told me, ‘my brother don’t worry, Fiji Rugby has not come for their bookings’,” Kumar claimed.
When asked if SCC raised concerns about the 18-day period, Kumar said, “Not at all.”
Kumar called for fair treatment of all sports.
With this issue on the table, the FRU showed screenshot evidence that they had sent their email to SCC on February 4, 2025 but the person with which the email was addressed to had passed away a month earlier.
