Kiribati will make history when its national football team takes the field for the first time at the FMF Inter-District Championship in Suva today.
Kiribati national team manager Bernard Tatireta says their participation is an important step forward for football in the country.
Tatireta has thanked the Fiji Football Association for giving Kiribati the opportunity to compete in the tournament.
He has also acknowledged FMF and other sponsors for helping make Kiribati’s historic participation possible.
Tatireta says the opportunity came through collaboration and discussions between football officials from Fiji and Kiribati.
He says competing in the IDC is also important as Kiribati continues its efforts towards becoming a full member of the Oceania Football Confederation.
Kiribati has brought 19 players and five officials for the championship.
Tatireta says they are hopeful the players will do their best and gain valuable experience that will help them prepare for bigger tournaments in the future.
Kiribati is grouped with Seaqaqa and Nadroga in the Premier Division.
The island nation will open its campaign against Seaqaqa at 11am at the HFC Bank Stadium.
They will then take on Nadroga at 11am on Thursday.
The semi-finals of the Premier Division will be held on Saturday, while the final will be held on Sunday.
Meanwhile, today's matches at HFC Bank Stadium will see Navua take on Nadi at 1.30pm in the Super Premier Division, Nasinu against Rewa at 3.30pm in the Super Premier Division, Ba against Lautoka at 5.30pm in the Super Premier Division, and Labasa against Suva at 8pm in the Super Premier Division, with the official opening also taking place.
At Buckhurst Park, Tailevu Naitasiri will meet Tavua at 11am in the Premier Division, Taveuni will play Savusavu at 1pm in the Senior Division, and Northland Tailevu will take on Bua at 3pm in the Senior Division, while Rakiraki will face Nadogo at 11am in the Senior Division and Dreketi will play Lami at 1pm in the Senior Division at the Fiji FA Academy.
