THE Fiji Football Association (FFA) remains confident in its age-grade leagues as a solid strategy to fill the vacuum left by players moving to Bula FC and other OFC Pro League clubs.
According to FFA chief executive Mohammed Yusuf, the existing pathways through the under-19 and under-16 leagues will nurture sufficient young talents ensuring a continuous flow of skilled players into local teams.
Yusuf emphasised that the FFA has carefully structured these programs to avoid placing any financial burden on district clubs.
“There’s no burden on the district clubs. Fiji FA pays for their match day transport, Fiji FA pays for their match day meals, we pay for the referees, we pay for the coach who’s coaching the under-19s and under-16s in districts,” he explained.
This support allows district clubs to focus on development without worrying about logistical or financial constraints.
The impact of these leagues is already evident, with several teams like Ba, Rewa, Lautoka, and Labasa seeing a surge of young players rising through the ranks.
Yusuf highlighted the importance of these competitions as a platform for youth to showcase their skills and advance to premier teams and professional leagues.
“It’s a very, very important project and pathway for the kids to get into the clubs, under-19, under-16 programmes, where you’re well looked after, show your skills, move into the premier team, catch the eyes of the coaches, and get into the chance to get into the pro league team,” he said.
Through these well-supported age-grade leagues, FFA is confident of fostering a sustainable talent pipeline that strengthens the overall football ecosystem in Fiji, ensuring that the departure of players to professional clubs does not weaken the district clubs or the domestic competition.
An extraordinary example of a player that came through the age-grade pathway is Maikah Dau who is now playing professional football with Extra Bula FC at the region’s biggest football competition, the OFC Pro League.
Dau, who is only 16-years -old proves that these age-grade leagues are not just regular competitions but a real pathway that aspiring young footballers can trust in.
The teenage is the youngest player in the Bula FC squad and made his proffesional outing on January 17 when the club faced Vanuatu United FC in the opening round of the OFC Pro League at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
