Queensland Fiji Football Association Inc held its strategic planing workshop on Sunday 16th June

A well crafted agenda of items focussed on a ‘Bolder, Bigger and a More Relevant’ QFFA was participated by 100% of the affiliated clubs, and well wishes.
Led by Master of Ceremonies Nick Maharaj, and with Treasurer Lawrence Chand facilitating the workshop dynamics, QFFA steadfastly moves towards a new horizon.
Opening Keynote address by Past President Aveen Singh certainly established the ‘tone’ of the workshop, reflecting on the past but focussing on the future as QFFA after more than 20 years since inception should now be ready to ‘ be bold’. He expressed that growth is only attainable from collective strengths of the affiliated members and stakeholders, aligning to similar goals and values. He reflected on his legacy of a strong and practical player rules which governs the basic product of QFFA, enjoying the beautiful game, Soccer and reliving our Fiji heritage. However, relevance is now becoming the fundamental issue to address.
An era of legacy, and a journey of challenges and opportunities and success was shared by 2 legends of the game, Esala Masi and Stewart Bola, and an emotional presentation that had everyone inspired.
Krishneel Maharaj shared the mental and psychological aspects of Sports, warmly received by all attendees, an area of sports that needs more focus and attention.
The attention of the workshop shifted towards strategic alliance and branding, with Arvin Datt challenging a corporate strategy and culture, with ‘Bula Lounge’ as feature of the tournaments.
Shivanjay ended the session with Branding strategies for QFFA, website and social media as integral platforms. A robust, well designed digital QFFA will create efficiency for internal operations.

The following were some of the focussed areas:
• Formation of Ref’s committee under leadership of Praveen Lal
• Relaunch of Women’s Football under astute leadership of Anjali Naiker,
• Player Strategic welfare pillar under guidance of Esala Masi, Jim Smith and Krishneel Maharaj
• A select committee for Player Rules and Eligibility Guidelines headed by Nick Maharaj, Ali Munif, Madhukar Naicker and Ray Ali.
• Financial, Governance, corporate alliance and Strategic visioning led by Lawrence Chand and Arvin Datt.
• Junior development and ‘ Finding the next Lucas/ Kewell/ Krishna under guidance Raj Oshen
• Digital transformation of QFFA to be spearheaded by Shivanjay
QFFA welcomes you to add value to the QFFA express and be part of the journey as we achieve our vision to ‘connect communities’.
Please direct your suggestions and ideas to Secretary Ray Ali on
[email protected]

Lest we forget the Youngest Indian
to compete at the Olympics – Arati Saha

At the tender age of just 11 years and 10 months old Indian swimmer Arati Saha was qualified and participated in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
Only a few days after her 19th birth Arati Saha became the first Asia woman to swim cross English Channel.
Born on 24 September, 1940 in Calcutta (now Kolkata), Arati Saha was just 11 years, 10 months and 305 days old.
It is a record which still stands and looks unlikely to be broken in the foreseeable future.
Sadly, her mother past away when she was barely 2 years old. She was raised by the loving family of an uncle and he grandmother.
Saha was introduced to swimming at the age of four and won her first competition when she was five years old.
It kickstarted her swimming career and under the mentorship of Sachin Nag, an Asian Games champion and Olympian, Arati Saha soon emerged as one of the best young swimmers in India.
Arati Saha mainly swam short-distance freestyle and breaststroke events and won several competitions in her native state of West Bengal.
When Arati Saha jumped in the pool on July 26, 1952 for the women’s 200m breaststroke heats, it made her the youngest Indian Olympian.
Arati Saha swam in the third heat of the women’s 200m, along with eventual bronze-medallist Elenor Gordon of Great Britain. Gordon was seven years senior to Arati.
While Arati Saha may be the youngest Indian to compete at the Summer Games, she is better known as the first Asian woman to cross the English Channel.
Inspired by Bangladeshi swimmer Brojen Das, who was the first Asian man to swim across the English Channel in 1958, Arati Saha began training for the gruelling course. She was supported in her endeavour by Mihir Sen, the first Indian man to swim the English Channel.
Five days after turning 19, on September 29, 1959, Arati Saha made swam crossing the English Channel.
After swimming for 16 hours and 20 minutes, Arati Saha covered 42 miles and reached Sandgate, England, to successfully swim across the English Channel and etch her name in the record books.
Sadly, like her mother dying young at only 54 years old on 23 August, 1994 due to health complications.
Source: Olympic.com, hercircle.in.

The 2024 Oceania Masters Athletics Championships

10th, featuring athletes from 28 countries competing in various disciplines. Athletes across different age groups showcased their talents, including former Olympians and seasoned competitors in both male and female categories.
Participants ranged from 16 to 95 years old, representing nations such as Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Western Samoa, Cook Islands, and many others. Originating in Fiji in 1982, this biennial event has since been hosted in various Oceania locations, including Canberra, Apia, Noumea, and Auckland among others.
This year’s championship marked another significant milestone, encompassing age groups from U16 to Open grades, providing a platform for athletes across Oceania to excel.
Noteworthy among the competitors was Fiji Islands’ Prime Minister, Mr. Sitiveni Rabuka, who participated in several Masters category events and secured a Bronze medal in Shot Put.
Australia emerged as the overall champions, followed by New Zealand, with Fiji Islands placing third in the Medals Tally. Ganga Prasad of Australia demonstrated exceptional performance by competing in 12 events within his age category, claiming 10 medals — 5 Gold, 3 Silver, and 2 Bronze.
The Oceania Athletics Organization Committee, headquartered in Fiji, hailed the 2024 championships as one of the best ever, underscoring the participation of all Oceania nations.
Best wishes were extended to all athletes preparing for the next championship.

Man in the Middle with the Whistle

Kid from Kavanagau, Nadroga, Fiji, a proud descendant of Girmityas and qualified Level 1 Rugby Union referee.
Nadi Barrister and Solicitor Elvin Dass is probably the first Indo-Fijian in the region to be a Level 1 Rugby Union referee.
Players and Coaches, in rugby world better be very very careful should they make the silly decision to question his on-field rulings. Not only is he the chief justice on the field as the “Man in the Middle with the Whistle’, but goes without saying Elvin studies the Law! That’s his fulltime Kaam!
Elvin is a resident Associate of the well-known Nadi Law firm Chetty Law & Associates.
He is proud to add that “Both my parents, Davendra Dass & Prem Kumari are proud descendants of the Girmityas.
Majority of the Fiji rugby players are native Fijians and Alvin has never been intimidated by some burly rugby players towering over him during a game he officiates in. In fact, these players afford him the respect he deserves as a referee and native of Fiji’s rugby mecca, Nadroga!.
Alvin reminisced that “I grew up watching rugby and always admired the game. I was interested in being a referee in the rugby arena. I learnt most of the rules just by watching and later on reading the law book that governs international refereeing. I went further to complete the level 1 officiating programme and obtained my license to officiate.”
Alvin joined the Nadroga Rugby Referees Union and trained by very experienced referees like
1. Joe Bosoka (former Nadroga Referees President)
2. Kele Naruma (current president of Nadroga Referees)
3. Aisake Drekeni( Elite Panel Referee)
4. Sam Tuidraki and Illisoni Ratumaikoro
5. Johnson LEE (Fiji Rugby Referees Director) and Fiji Rugby Referees Association.
Alvin said that “My dream is to one day officiate at the National Level and the International level. I remember the words of Mr Joe Bosoka When I officiated for the very first time at a sevens tournament in Nadroga and Mr Bosoka announced, “this is Nadroga this is Rugby”.
No doubt, Alvin Dass is grateful to his nephew Ahaan Dass and parents for their motivation to make a distinguished career choice and sport life arbitrating in the rugby fields.
We in Australia may soon see Alvin officiating in one of our many seven tournaments or 15 a side game.

Alvin Dass, a true son of Nadroga, can be contacted in these contact details.
Elvin Dass (Mr)
Associate
Chetty Law & Associates
Level 2, Unit 6, Paper Power Complex, Navo, Nadi, Fiji
Ph: 9991205/7991205/8019236