Newly appointed Fiji national football head coach Stéphane Auvray has commended the warm hospitality shown by the Ba Football Association during a special Diwali celebration hosted by Ba FA president Praneel Dayal at his residence in Ba on Tuesday.
The event also brought together the visiting New Caledonia Under-15 boys’ and girls’ football teams, along with players, coaches, and officials, in a spirit of unity and friendship.
Coach Auvray said the gathering was a meaningful introduction to Fiji’s rich cultural traditions and a reminder of how sport connects people beyond the pitch.
Dayal said it was a pleasure to host the visitors and the new coach, adding that events like these help strengthen regional ties and showcase the cultural side of the sport.
“It was a pleasure to host our football friends from New Caledonia and to welcome coach Auvray to our football community.
“Diwali is about light, togetherness, and hope values that are also reflected in the beautiful game, events like this remind us that football goes beyond competition, it builds bridges across cultures,” Dayal said.
The New Caledonia teams, currently on tour in Fiji, also enjoyed the opportunity to share in the Diwali spirit while engaging with local players and officials.
