The Fiji Football Association has officially opened its $8.8 million football academy in Labasa, aimed at developing young football talents and providing them with opportunities to reach the international stage.
Fiji FA Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Yusuf says the two football grounds alone cost about $2.4 million, with grass flown in from Hong Kong and germinated locally to bring the grounds up to international standards.
Yusuf says the academy includes a hall with a capacity of 350 people, 30 dormitories for camping, a kitchen, offices, changing rooms and other facilities.
He says this is the first sports facility of its kind built by a sporting organisation in the area.
Yusuf says the investment is specifically targeted at developing football in the North and producing more players who can follow in the footsteps of footballers such as Roy Krishna and other players from the North who have reached the international stage.
He says the academy will operate full-time throughout the year, with 20 to 25 boys staying in camp, attending school and training at the facility to develop their football careers.
Yusuf says while they faced challenges during the construction, these were overcome through the support of the Tui Macuata, landowners and Fiji FA member associations in the North.
He says the project was completed within the budget.
The academy was officially opened by the Tui Macuata and former President of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.
Seqaqa team President Lakhan Kumar says the academy will help all teams and players to benefit from the academyn in terms of their team trainings.
He is urging all the teams and players to take advantage of the academy and acknowledged the Fiji FA and FIFA for the development.
