Fiji to host Sangam World Cup for the first time

It is only days away from the kick-off of the Sangam World Cup, which will be hosted by the Then India Sanmarga Ikya (TISI) Sangam Fiji in Lautoka.

TISI Sangam says this is the first time Fiji will host the Sangam World Cup, which returns after an 11-year lapse while Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have hosted the tournament in the past, with the last one held in 2014.

They say the Sangam World Cup is part of Sangam Fiji’s Road to 100 Years celebration and will be held from the 30th of October to the 2nd of November.

Founded in 1926 by Sevaka Ratnam Sadhu Kuppuswamy, Sangam Fiji will celebrate its centennial anniversary in April next year.

Sangam World Cup Board Chairperson, Upendra Gounder, says there will be several firsts at this year’s tournament for Fiji and possibly for the region.

He says preparations have been progressing well and the final meeting has been held with the 22 soccer teams competing in the tournament.

Lautoka, the defending champion, will be a strong contender on their home turf.

They say the soccer competition will feature 10 teams in the Premier Division, 8 in the Masters Division, and 4 in the Legends Division.

Gounder says In addition to soccer, the Sangam World Cup will also feature eight local and overseas teams in the netball competition, along with golf and snooker events.

He says the Sangam World Cup Board has been working for months to ensure the success of the event and thanked all team managers, executives, and players for their support and participation.

Soccer matches will be played at Churchill Park, netball at the multi-purpose court, snooker at the Northern Club and South Seas Club, while golf will take place at the Denarau Golf Course in Nadi.