AS the dust settled at the HFC Bank Stadium last Sunday, history was created as Fiji’s traditional football giants Ba added another trophy to their decorated trophy cabinet.
Ba beat Navua to lift the prestigious Inter-District Championship (IDC) silverware and complete a treble, winning the BiC Fiji Fact and Extra Supermarket Battle of the Giants (BOG) tournaments, adding to the league title.
Kiribati and Dreketi walked away with spoils in the premier and senior division, respectively.
The IDC tournament thrilled!
Men in Black reign once again
After winning the FMF IDC tournament, the Men in Black proved that they are the Kings of Fiji football.
Ba started the tournament on a high note beating neighbours Lautoka 2-1.
The Men in Black were shell-shocked by Navua who held them to a 2-2 draw. However, they bounced back to thrash Nadi 3-0.
The clash against the young Labasa outfit, for whom the HFC Bank Stadium is home away from home, lived up to expectations and went right to the dreaded penalty kick, which is anybody’s game.
Ba, with all its experience, survived the test, and when Nabeel Begg scored the last kick, Ba fans celebrated knowing that the IDC trophy was travelling to Ba.
Navua was a shadow of the side in the final. The side was lucky not to have conceded more than two goals. Ba’s superior fitness, brotherhood and camaraderie, tactical play and firepower stood out as the Men in Black celebrated, having last won the IDC in 2023, ironically at the same venue, defeating Lautoka 2-1.
Ba’s goals were scored by Darold Kakasi and Etonia Waqa, while Saula Waqa scored Lautoka’s goal.
The atmosphere was electrifying as Ba lifted the IDC trophy.
Fans basked in glory and the celebration continued late into Monday morning.
Lost glory was restored. Ba toh Ba hai!
Patrick Joseph shines in black jersey
Patrick Joseph, who joined Ba from Rewa, did not disappoint fans.
He stood out with his sublime skills and ability to withstand pressure during the week-long IDC.
Joseph was part of Rewa’s 2025 IDC win and since joining Ba, he has gone into history books and is part of the historic quadruple.
He won the Champion vs Champion Series with Rewa against Labasa and was part of Rewa’s league winning team last year.
He helped Rewa win the Pacific Cup in NZ. Joseph was in the bad book of many Ba fans as he scored Rewa’s lone goal from the penalty spot to deny Ba an IDC title on home soil last year.
However, he quickly earned the trust of fans as he engineered the Men in Black to four titles this season. Joseph won back-to-back IDC titles with two different teams. Joseph’s industrious career is evident that he is any team’s lucky charm.
Give credit where it is due
I salute the leadership of Ba! Praneel Dayal, who has brought a new breath of football to Ba, deserves credit for bringing back smiles to the powerhouse of Fiji football.
After losing the IDC title to Rewa at home, Dayal was adamant to restore lost glory. His strategic plan worked wonders.
He led by example and invested in players who have done Ba proud.
His brother Jaay Dayal is commended for supporting his smaller brother to fulfill the dream of bringing back lost glory to Ba.
Former Ba players like Malakai Kainihewe, Iosefo Vosaboto, Isikeli Seva and Lote Delai teamed up to guide the younger Ba players to get back the spoils that Ba once enjoyed under the leadership of Vinod Patel, Rajesh Patel and Rishi Kumar.
I also commend master tactician Ravinesh Kumar for his input.
Ravinesh possesses the Midas touch, and he has weaved his magic, winning three major tournaments and the league.
Ba’s historic victory has come through a lot of hard work, perseverance, dedication, unity, passion and fighting spirit.
Fans, who stood by the Men in Black during their darkest days, are reaping the rewards of having faith in their team.
Ba Football Association is on a different platform compared with other districts.
Regular board meetings, player welfare, and having a strategic plan and positive attitude have paved the way for their success.
Other districts need to emulate Ba’s success or they’ll be left behind.
Today, player welfare is paramount!
Kiribati’s rise to glory
In Kiribati, football is their main sport.
My Labasa College classmate Rabinesh Nand, who played a vital role in Kiribati’s success in the IDC shared the ups and downs.
He teamed up with Imtiaz Begg, and the President of Kiribati Football Eriati Reebo to develop football in Kiribati. Kiribati started with Futsal.
Funding and limited resources did not hinder their growth as the team organised fundraising to send a 20-member squad for international exposure to the Fresh and Bright International tournament.
The side lost, but did not lose focus and continued to work hard. Nand, Begg and Reebo met with FFA CEO, Mohammed Yusuf, in Suva.
The meeting was fruitful and it was agreed that Kiribati would be part of the IDC tournament, flexing their muscles in the premier grade.
Kiribati prepared well for the tournament and despite the loss to Seaqaqa 4-2 in the opening match, bounced back to thrash Nadroga 6-0 and qualify for the semis.
The side outclassed Seaqaqa 6-1 in the final. The visitors were dominant and played their hearts out.
Fans were emotional as Kiribati won the trophy and took home $6000 as a reward for their efforts.
Drugs and football don’t mix
The message driven by the parent body must be clear- football and drugs do not mix.
FFA must drive this clear message and come hard on players who test positive for drugs.
It’s rather embarrassing that 20 plus players tested positive for drugs.
Apart from suspending the players, who test positive for drugs, from the tournament, counseling sessions must be organised for them.
These players are young and have a long way to go. The use of drugs will demolish their football career and push them into the evil world.
Players must not rely on drugs, but their skills and fitness to survive football tournaments and the national league.
Football forges friendship
I had never met Ba’s Adriu Naisiroki before. We used to comment on each other’s Facebook page and started developing a bond.
I was surprised when Naisiroki, who has played a huge role in Ba’s success, invited me to join the team for a photo session.
I was touched by his invitation and could not decline the offer.
To my surprise, Naisiroki offered me a souvenir piece.
His affection made me emotional. Such a humble and down-to-earth gentleman!
After bidding him goodbye, I met another ardent and passionate Ba fan – Master Timoci Seru, who has coached the Ba primary, youth and even the senior team.
He coached Tavua this year. Master Seru was on cloud nine.
We took pictures and shared some wonderful moments from the IDC at Albert Park.
He is looking forward to the celebration in Ba.
Impressive Seaqaqa and Dreketi
Seaqaqa and Dreketi impressed. They made the Friendly North proud with their efforts.
Dreketi beat neighbours Bua to win the senior division title.
The side won the President’s Cup and remained unbeaten during the football calendar.
Seaqaqa, despite losing the IDC trophy to Kiribati, is commended for reaching the final.
The Men in Blue thumped Tavua 3-1 in the semi-final. They beat Tavua at Govind Park to grab a spot in the top flight.
Seaqaqa will be a force to reckon with next season.
A few more player investments and the side will be a threat to teams.
Hats off to the team officials and players for doing Seaqaqa proud!
Love and affection for the Babasiga Lions
Labasa put on a brave performance against Ba. The young Babasiga Lions took the star-studded Ba outfit to the dreaded penalty kicks, which was anyone’s guess.
Jerry Sam molded the team into a shining combination which could have won this year’s FMF IDC.
After the loss, I visited the boys who were in camp.
Morale was low, but the boys managed to put on a smile.
We took a few pictures for memory books. The boys lost the battle, but there was no love lost.
It’s hard to find such a group of players who are so simple and take so much pride in the Labasa jersey.
No titles in 2026, but we will bounce back!
3. Lingam with passionate Ba fan Timoci Seru.
2. Imtiaz Begg (second from left) with the Kiribati team.
5. Lingam with his daughter Mahika Lingam and niece Vaanya Prakash visit their Labasa heroes.
Rajnesh
4. Receiving the souvenir piece from Adriu Naisiroki.
6. Labasa player Simione Ragoneturaga, gifted his FMF IDC jersey to the ardent Labasa fan.
