Caption: Team C.Bangers that will feature in the tournament. Photo: FACEBOOK.
By ANUSHIL KUMAR
The stage is set for the Island Pacific Apparel five-a-side soccer tournament as a total of 32 teams have been confirmed to battle in the competition which will be played on Sunday, December 14.
Tournament coordinator Nadeem Mohammed is immensely pleased after getting quick responses from all the teams as the tournament has become a ‘talk-of-the-town’ event around the country.
“It is really encouraging to realize suddenly that December 14th will assemble 32 very well prepared sides at Nadi Muslim College Grounds and the competition level is already intensifying in the atmosphere.
“I must thank Mr. Govind Goundar the Managing Director and Mr. Sunil Chand, the Sales and Marketing Manager of Island Pacific Apparel, for making this event happen at such a high profile.
“Companies like this should be recognized for helping in the growth of sports in the country as this tournament would certainly expose many untapped talents.”
The tournament will see some big names from Suva like Dhaji Boyz, C-Bangers, Northpole, Jesus Rockz and Nasinu Boyz while Combined Brothers from Ba will be laced with majority of the current Ba players like Remueru Tekiata and Ronil Kumar while Osea Vakatalesau arrives in the country later next week and will appear for the Nadi All Stars.
Old Blues will feature reps like Jone Vono and Malaki Waqa while Nadi reps Shafim Buksh and William Valentine are expected to boost Red Devils from Nadi.
The pool draws will be held at the Island Pacific Apparel’s Warehouse in Nadi tomorrow where the 32 teams will be divided into eight pools having four teams in each pool from which the top two teams will qualify for the elimination rounds.
Mr Mohammed also confirmed that Pool matches and eliminations will be seven minutes each side, quarter finals 10 minutes each side, semi-finals 15 minutes each side while the final would be hard-fought for 20 minutes each side.
The Winner will walk away $750 richer with the Late Mohammed Rafique Cup donated by Bashir Ahmed and family of Canada, Runner Up will grab $200 while semi-finalists will be rewarded with $100 each.