Minister for Industry, Tourism and Local Government, Premila Kumar is urging the Fiji Football Association to seriously look at its strategy and targets and work towards a determined goal to take football to another level, and to improve Fiji's ranking globally.
While speaking at the opening ceremony of the Inkk Mobile BOG at Ratu Cakobau Park, Kumar told the soccer fans that the Fiji soccer team has surprised teams like Australia and done relatively well in the Pacific region in the past.
However, Kumar says that she wants to stress to the football officials and players at all levels in this country that we have not been consistent with our performance.
She says the talent in football is in abundance but we have not reached where we should be.
Kumar says when we look at our ranking in the world, there is more needed to be done to uplift Fiji's status.
Minister for Industry, Tourism and Local Government, Premila Kumar
She says soccer started in Fiji many decades ago and we are still struggling to make a mark in the international arena.
The Minister says Fiji FA must create an environment in which they identify talent, nurture these talents and set targets to ensure players and officials connected to football know clearly, what Fiji is trying to achieve.
Kumar has challenged the Fiji FA to work towards further enhancing standard of football in Fiji as we may be good but good is not good enough.
She says Fiji needs to be recognised internationally and that should be our goal.
Meanwhile, Kumar adds that some soccer players were reprimanded for indiscipline and this raises the question on the attitude of some players who disregard discipline and bring disrepute to their district, coach, parents and to their fans.
Kumar says it is important that players when selected to play at any level, must understand the huge investment that football clubs, Fiji FA, private sector and Government makes for the betterment of football or any sport.
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