The University of Fiji launched its 9-aside soccer competition programme yesterday afternoon with the aim to challenge business houses and tertiary institutions in the West to professional level.

Three of UniFiji’s student players are already in professional games as members of Ba, Lautoka, and Rakiraki clubs.

Altogether, the University signed up seven student and one staff team for the series, which will run for two weeks from today. The best players will be selected for the University of Fiji Football Club, which will then challenge other professional teams in the Western Division.

At the opening ceremony today, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaista Shameem, said that the University encouraged its staff and students to take active part in sports for their well-being as well as to foster agility and strategy in University work. The University had partnered with the Student Association to identify the best players for the University Football Club. The Association had also provided initial sponsorship, along with some business houses. The first heats will determine who the best players were, she said.

The University Football Club Organizing Committee had also sought advice from Ba Coach, Dr Diva Singh, who was a member of the University Council and an alumnus of the University’s Umanand Prasad School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Organizing Committee members Naveel Swamy and Dipesh Kumar said the first game was an exciting showdown between two student teams, showcasing excellent skill, coordination, and sportsmanship.

The pool of matches had sett a high bar for the rest of the tournament. They added that the competition not only promotes athletic excellence but also builds camaraderie, discipline, and school spirit among students and staff.

The University of Fiji looks forward to strengthening its presence in regional football through this initiative and invites the wider community to support and attend the matches over the next two weeks.