The Navua Football Association received a major boost ahead of the start of the second major tournament on the local football calendar.
Timber company Southern Forest Products announced a $10,000 sponsorship for the Anaconda Town Boys for the Rooster Chicken/Scoop Premium Ice Cream Battle of the Giants tournament to be played in Nadi next week.
Navua FA patron Vimal Prasad Chaudhary said the relationship between Southern Forest and Navua FA was not new.
“It extends to the last three decades dating back to 1989 when Navua was first promoted from senior to premier level as well as Anil Sharma who is the founder of Southern Forest was at that time appointed to serve Navua FC as team director and took the mental of leadership to led Navua to a series of victories,” said Chaudhary.
Under Anil Sharma’s leadership, Navua first won the Fiji FACT title in 2003 beating host Rewa 1-0 in the final at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori and then won the title in 2008 and 2009 as well.
“On behalf of Navua fans, I would like to thank the Sharma family, Southern Forest Fiji Ltd management and staff for reconnecting with Navua FA and perhaps this is going to open up new opportunities for our players to shine at the upcoming Rooster Chicken/ Scoop Premium Ice Cream Battle of the Giants next month,” Chaudhary said.
Southern Forest managing director Krishneil Sharma said this was something that they would like to reignite the flame because his father and his company were once sponsors of Navua FA.
“We have been away from the picture for a while and we have been regrowing as a company and we have turned a lot of pages and created many histories in the past so we were waiting for the right time to boost Navua Association and as you all know we are from Navua and my dad used to be the president of Navua FA and I am happy to carry on with his legacy,” Sharma said.
Association president Rajeev Prasad acknowledged the timely sponsorship provided by Southern Forest.
“This is a boost for a small district like Navua and I would like to heartily thank Krishneil and the management of Southern Forest for coming on board and supporting us in a timely manner,” Prasad said.
“The sponsorship will really boost our preparation and participation at this year’s second major tournament of Fiji FA’s calendar.”
Navua is pooled with Lautoka, Tailevu Naitasiri and Nadi at the tournament.
The side’s only win at the BOG came in 2007.
The Battle of the Giants kicks off on August 11 at Prince Charles Park in Nadi.