THE stage is set for another exciting Extra Fiji Secondary Schools Football Association Championship after the official pool draws were conducted yesterday at the Fiji FA Academy in Ba.
The national championship will be held at Subrail Park in Labasa from August 19-22, with more than 1,500 students, teachers and officials expected to converge on the northern town for four days of football action.
Fiji Secondary Schools Football Association president Aminesh Ram believes this year’s tournament will be one of the most competitive in recent years, with schools from both Viti Levu and Vanua Levu determined to claim national honours.
“Approximately 1,500 athletes and teachers will converge in Labasa.
“Schools in Viti Levu are eager to take the trophies away from Vanua Levu, but the schools in Vanua Levu are saying they want to keep the trophies in the North. It will be tough matches,” Ram said.
The Open Girls competition features five pools, with defending regional powers spread across the draw. Pool A includes Central College, Rampur College, Waiqele College and Dreketi Central College, while Pool B has Tavua College, MGM High School, Korovuto College and All Saints Secondary School.
Pool C comprises Bucalevu Secondary School, Labasa College, Suva Muslim College and Nakasi High School. Pool D features Labasa Sangam College, Nadi Sangam College, Pandit Vishnu Deo Memorial College and Ba Sangam College, while Pool E includes Nukuloa College, Vunimono High School, Lekutu Secondary School and Nilsen College.
The U17 grade will see Labasa Sangam College, Nadroga Arya College, DAV College and Ba Sangam College battle in Pool A, while Vunimono High School, Penang Sangam College, Central College Lautoka and Labasa Muslim College make up Pool B.
In the U15 division, Pool A consists of AD Patel College, Nadi Sangam College, All Saints Secondary School and Vunimono High School. Pool B includes Rishikul Sanatan College, Labasa College, Central College Lautoka and Tavua College.
The U19 grade is expected to be highly competitive, with Rewa 1, Shree Guru Nanak Khalsa College and MGM High School in Pool A. Pool B features Tavua College, Vashist Muni College and All Saints Secondary School, while Pool C includes Central College, SVC, Rewa 2 and Penang Sangam College.
Pool D consists of Labasa College, Tilak High School, Xavier College and Nadi Sangam College, while Pool E brings together Suva Muslim College, Ba Sangam College, Labasa Muslim College and Labasa Sangam College.
With national titles on the line and regional pride at stake, the championship is expected to deliver intense competition as schools from across the country battle for supremacy in Labasa.
