FOOTBALL’S world governing body FIFA officially handed the new gymnasium at the national academy in Ba to the Fiji Football Association on Friday.
The gymnasium which is part of FIFA’s Win-Win project is worth $US151,000.
The equipment for the gymnasium worth $US50,000 has been ordered from New Zealand.
FIFA assistant development officer Lyn Shirley said the Win-Win project was an income generated project funded by FIFA.
She said the aim was to encourage the member associations to make their own income and not rely on FIFA and the regional organisations like the Oceania Football Federation.
“Fiji FA wanted to establish a gymnasium which is a wonderful project,” Shirley said.
“In Suva there is a futsal court with floodlights and an upgraded conference hall and commercial kitchen.
“The conference hall and kitchen can be hired out for meetings and catering purposes. The futsal court can be hired for leagues and other competitions.”
Fiji FA president Rajesh Patel said the accommodation block at the national academy in Ba could also be hired when not being used by the various national teams.
“FIFA has now approved that member associations can get rental out from the facilities that they have,” Patel said.
“The gymnasium will be open to the members of the public. There will be an annual membership fee. We have plans for fulltime physiotherapist to be based at the gym.
“The equipment has been ordered from New Zealand and people will be coming over to install it,” he added.
