The Fiji Football Association has sought government intervention after they were faced with another booking dilemma with the Fiji Rugby Union, only this time it was over Albert Park in Suva.
Responding to questions from this newspaper, Fiji FA general manager operations Anushil Kumar revealed that the organisation’s chief executive has reached out to the government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports to intervene in this matter.
The Fiji FA had negotiated with the Suva City Council to book for Albert Park for the upcoming OFC Women’s Nations Cup which is expected to bring $1.7million to the economy.
Negotiations started well over a month ago where they were informed by the Suva City Council that no other sporting federation had booked for the venue.
“Yes, our CEO has written to the Minister for Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru and also copied the president of FASANOC and Fiji National Sports Commission. We have kept all key stakeholders informed because the tournament’s success is a national responsibility.
“These bodies have always encouraged international tournaments to be brought to Fiji, citing their economic and tourism benefits. This situation contradicts those objectives. This tournament would be boosting $1.7 million in revenue towards our economy,” Kumar said.
However, on June 17, Fiji FA was informed via email that the SCC had rejected their request and that the priority was given to a late FRU booking to cater for the training of the FIJI Water Flying Fijians and Scotland.
“This experience has created a significant trust issue. When you are told you’re first to enquire, and act in good faith by offering compromise, only to be rejected later for reasons tied to another federation’s late booking, it is hard to see that as fair treatment.
“Albert Park is a national icon. But if it is only available to one sport, regardless of who applies first or what the use case is, then we must ask ourselves: is this facility truly for all of Fiji, or just for some?
“This dispute will undoubtedly influence how Fiji FA approaches future planning and whether we continue to bid for international events in Fiji.
“But we hope lessons are learned from this and that all sporting bodies and facility managers in Fiji reflect on the importance of collaboration, fairness, and respect across all sports, including for women’s events,” Kumar added.
Fiji FA during the negotiation period made some exceptions, opting to only engage grounds two and four, leaving grounds one and three for other organisations as they were aware of the Test match happening during the Nations Cup window.
These were allegedly not considered by SCC.
Questions were sent to SCC and remained unanswered when this edition went to press.
