The year started out good for young soccer enthusiasts in Fiji with the Oceania Football Confederation U-17 Championship last month month in Suva.
The tournament saw the Baby Bula Boys play against some of the finest soccer teams in the Pacific.
Even though the team missed out on making the finals after losing to defending champions New Zealand 1-4, the team was in high spirits after securing a spot in the 3rd and 4th place play-off against Tahiti.
Fiji lost 0-3 to settle for 4th place in the championship. Youths and Sports Minister, Jese Saukuru had wished the boys well in their participation at the OFC tournament.
Mr Saukuru, who visited the Fiji Football Association (FFA) headquarters on January 12, said in a statement that the OFC tournament would help generate economic activity simply by just hosting such games.
Mr Saukuru thanked the FFA for its continued support in hosting local and international tournaments such as the OFC’s U-17 Championship. He said tournaments such as the OFC enabled people to enjoy international competitions right at home.
Fiji Football Association president Rajesh Patel said they were ready to work together with the minister in targeting more similar activities from the grassroots level. He concluded in wishing the U-17 Bula Boys side the best in their games.
The minister, according to the statement, was joined by his permanent secretary Rovereto Nayacalevu, Rajesh Patel and a few board members during the game at the HFC Bank Stadium where the Bula Boys played and defeated Samoa 3-0 in their first match.
The Oceania Football Confederation is the smallest of the world’s six confederations and is responsible for the development and organisation of football across the South Pacific.
The confederation is made up of 11 member associations and two associate members, which it supports through a variety of means including financially and educationally.