FSL pulls IDC prize-money

Local Sports

Fijian soccer removes prize money from the upcoming IDCThe Fiji Soccer League has proven once again that it is one of the less financial flush leagues.

The league on the behest of its members voted out the prize payout for the August, Inter District Championship tournament.

An email message from the league obtained by Sportsone, says the members viewed the IDC as both 'prestigious and historical' and that they felt the tournament should be played for pride’ and the prize money shall be removed.

The decision however, is being laughed at by many including two former district stalwarts, who feel the vote is hell-bent.

Former Lautoka midfielder Ronald Singh says the policy makers failed to ascertain the importance of both prestigious and historical.

He said soccer's Holy Grail, the World Cup is as prestigious and historical and that doesn’t preclude FIFA to pull the winner’s purse and call on its affiliates to play the month long tournament for pride.

"The World Cup of soccer is the single most prestigious and historical event in the world, yet the payout is at a colossal 576m (US)," Ronald said. "With the winner's purse at 35m (US)".

He said likewise, the IDC is the most important event on Fijian Soccer Leagues sporting calendar adds, with the more financial support it will certainly raise the profile of the tournament.

Former Ba midfielder of the 90s, Manoj Raj says the  Fiji Football Association (Fiji) sanctioned IDC is ever prestigious and historical in a sense it was started in 1938, added its arguably the biggest soccer tournament in Fiji with a lucrative prize-purse of $120,000.

“The Super Premier winner walks away with a comfortable $15,000. The winner of Premier, Secondary and Primary schools garner a sizable payout and the runner-ups of all the divisions are paid a declared amount.

“It just doesn’t end there, as the four semi-finalists in all the divisions get paid. A portion is utilized towards the logistics and the preparations for the IDC”, he said.

Raj said the Fijian Soccer League must be mindful of the fact that it is a breakaway body of the Fiji Football Association of BC, and it’s unwise for them to use the defunct organization's  historical events to stats, such as the IDC and the BOG ‘Roll of Honor’ to their advantage.

“The FSL forced the closure of the FFA and yet chooses to gazette their accolades to its name and besides how long has the FSL been in-existance. Your guess is as good as mine. What history if any are they talking about?.

The FSL has reduced the team registration to $200.

"With no prize money the league should waive the registration fee and bite the entire cost. It's a prestigious and historical event remember? but then It’s all a ‘catch 22", said Raj.