Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad, was pleased at the Fiji Football Association (FFA) for bringing the 2024 Digicel Fiji Fact tournament to Labasa.

DPM Prasad was chief guest during the opening night of the tournament in Labasa, last night. Prasad said football plays the role of uniting people under a common passion.

This passion was evident at Subrail Park last night as fans in excess of 6000 gathered to witness the opening days games.

“Football organised in this manner gives us fans a sense of celebration and participation,” he said.

Prasad said hosting sports activities at a national scale was a driver of local economic growth.

“In brings investments, income and a lot of economic activities”.

Prasad said as a Government they value all sports and believes that such engagements were key to improving their international standing.

He was impressed by the Rewa men’s football side qualification to their first Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League semi-final.

“Congrats to Rewa for reaching the semis and drawing against a strong New Zealand club, Auckland City, 2-2,” he said.

FFA president, Rajesh Patel, complimented Labasa Town Council for organising the tournament.

With crowd passion high in Labasa and the infrastructure now available, Patel, believes this has given them an incentive to bring more tournaments to Labasa in the future.

Council special administrator chairperson, Paul Jaduram, thanked the FFA for having trust in them.

Jaduram added collaborative approach by key stakeholders helped the council with renovation and painting works.

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