Labour Weekend will become the ‘Fiji Day’ at Centre Park in the South Auckland suburb of Mangere, bringing together Fijians in sporting solidarity.
Along with the IDC Soccer Tournament of the NZ Fiji Association Football Inc,
Shah Homes IDC and the New Zealand Veterans DJ Maharaj Memorial Over 40s Tournament, the Auckland Fijian community will host Fiji Day celebrations with Rugby and other sports on October 20.
A Fiji Golf Day has also been planned to coincide with the occasion.
The annual IDC, which has been hosted in Auckland for almost 20 years by NZ Fiji AFC (Inc) will feature top teams vying for the coveted Century 21 Cup.
Harish Lodhia, Fiji’s Honorary Consul in Auckland, launched this year’s tournament at a gala night, drawing the groups for the Shah Homes IDC and the DJ Maharaj Over 40s.
Tournament Chairman John Nath has promised another exciting event, which has drawn top players from the NZ Fijian community and guest players from Fiji and Australia.
Tavua are the defending Champions, with the Centre Park as a good hunting ground. But the Tournament this year promises an even chance for others.
The games will be played as follows: Group A: Tavua, Rakiraki, Nadroga, Kadavu;
Group B: Rewa, Nadi, Labasa, Hamilton; Group C: Lautoka, Nasinu, Navua, Nadogo; Group D: Ba, Suva, Savusavu, Seqaqa.
The Tournament will kick off on October 18 and finish on October 22, with a special Over 50s match planned as a curtain raiser to promote good health and vitality, proving that age is not a deterrent in football.
Association recognised
Meanwhile, at the Annual Congress of Fiji FA held in Ba, the Fiji Football District teams did not support a motion to remove NZ Fiji AFC’s associate membership with Fiji Football Association. It was a unanimous decision which showed that the districts in Fiji realise and appreciate the contribution that NZ Fiji AFC has made to football in New Zealand and to Fiji FA over many years.
Auckland Fijian Community President John Kotoisuva said that the real winners would be the people of Fiji.
The Association is thinking and planning big but would to take baby steps. We intend bringing all groups together and show New Zealand has the ‘Real Fijian way.’ There will be lot of laughter and the ‘old style Fiji’ enjoyment with various food stalls and Fijian food,” a spokesman said.
H said that a major attraction during the Labour Weekend events would be the
launch of the ‘Bula Kiwi Night’ at Centre Park on October 20.
