THE Vodafone Fiji under-20 reps will not be released for the Fiji FACT tournament which kicks off this Sunday.
The national squad members are in camp in Suva preparing for the FIFA U20 World Cup which starts in New Zealand at the end of next month.
National U20 technical adviser Ravinesh Kumar said they did not want to risk the players to any injuries.
Kumar said to participate at the U20 World Cup was a lifetime opportunity for the players.
“Apart from Mataiasi Toma, this is the only chance for these players to compete at the U20 World Cup,” he said.
“So we do not want to take that opportunity away from them. I understand that the districts want to utilise the players for the Fiji FACT but we cannot risk them to any injuries ahead of the World Cup.”
The 4R Electrical Ba team will be the most hit by this decision. Ba will miss the services of its top choice goalkeeper Misiwani Nairube, star striker Saula Waqa, Junior Narendra Rao, Pranil Naidu, Ravnit Chand, Jonetani Buksh and Shaneel Naidu.
Nadi will miss Toma, Antonio Tuivuna and Mohammed Khan. Rewa will be without the services of Setareki Hughes, Iosefo Verevou, Garish Prasad while Labasa will miss Gabrieli Matanisiga.
Kumar said some of these players had been eyed by overseas clubs.
“The team will be travelling to Australia to play two warm up matches,” he said.
“The first match is against Mexico on May 15 and the next is against Colombia on May 18.”
Fiji is pooled with Germany, Honduras and Uzbekistan at the U20 World Cup.
Meanwhile during the opening round of the Vodafone Fiji FACT, Nadroga will play Nadi, Ba will face Lautoka, Tailevu Naitasiri will take on Labasa while Suva will battle with Rewa.
