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Lautoka Football Association - LFA Bluez 💙

A special moment behind the scenes at the 2026 Extra BOG as Khelvin Realtors Director Vipul Sharma placed the captain’s armband on Lautoka FC skipper Sitiveni Cavuilagi.

Khelvin Realtors has been a strong supporter of the Lautoka Blues as one of the club’s major sponsors.

The company, which has branches in Lautoka, Nadi, Suva and Labasa, has also come on board as a coverage sponsor for Duavata News during the 2026 Extra BOG.

It was a simple moment that reflected the close relationship between the sponsor and the team.

For all your property needs - Khelvin Realtors!

All the best Lautoka Football Association - LFA Bluez! 💙💙

Khelvin Realtors Lautoka Blues ready to stand tall at 2026 Extra BOG

Khelvin Realtors Lautoka Football President Shalendra Prasad says the Blues will take a game-by-game approach at the 2026 Extra Battle of the Giants as they look to bring major silverware back to Lautoka.

The tournament gets underway at 4R Stadium in Ba this Friday, September 4, with Lautoka drawn in a formidable pool alongside hosts Ba, Rewa and Nadi.

Speaking to Duavata News ahead of the tournament, Prasad also confirmed a major sponsorship boost, with the side to compete as the Khelvin Realtors Lautoka Blues.

“First and foremost, we thank our major sponsors Khelvin Realtors for a timely boost,” Prasad said.

He also acknowledged the club’s co-sponsors and thanked everyone who has continued to support the Blues.

Lautoka heads into the BOG looking to end a major-title drought stretching back to 2024.

Prasad said preparations were focused on giving the side the best possible opportunity to challenge for the title, while acknowledging every team entering the tournament would have the same ambition.

“As always, we will prepare to our best. All the participating teams will enter the BOG to win, likewise the Blues,” he said.

Lautoka showed promise during the Fiji FACT earlier this season but its campaign ended with a semi-final defeat to Navua after the Blues surrendered a lead.

Prasad admitted it was a disappointing result and credited Navua for being the better side on the day.

“It was not our day while playing the semi-final and Navua was a better team on that day,” he said.

He said there were technical aspects of the match Lautoka could have handled better, particularly after taking the lead, describing the eventual defeat as a difficult one for the team.

The Blues subsequently experienced mixed results in the Extra Premier League and finished fourth.

While acknowledging some players did not perform to their full potential during the campaign, Prasad refused to single out individuals for blame.

“We win as a team and we lose as a team. No one is to be blamed,” he said.

Prasad acknowledged Lautoka’s overall performances have not met the club’s expectations but said the focus is now firmly on preparing well and delivering at the BOG.

Discipline has also been an area of concern following incidents that have proved costly for Lautoka in previous competitions.

Prasad said officials have held discussions with the players concerned and stressed the importance of avoiding situations or substances that could jeopardise their participation.

“We have done our part and now it is on the players to stay away from such things,” he said.

Lautoka will be strengthened by the return of experienced defender Epeli Leiroti, something Prasad described as a “plus point” for the Blues.

The squad has also been boosted by two Chilean imports, while experienced coach Batram Suri has been brought in ahead of the tournament.

Prasad expects the overseas players to use their experience to fit into the Lautoka system and make an impact.

Suri, meanwhile, has been handed a challenging assignment with only a short period to prepare the team.

“The coach had only five days to prepare, but with his knowledge, we feel he will bring the best for this tournament,” Prasad said.

He said the coaching staff had been tasked with preparing a winning combination and ensuring every area of the team was addressed before the opening match.

Despite Lautoka’s fourth-place league finish and its wait for another major trophy, Prasad stressed that tournament football presents a different challenge.

He described Lautoka’s group featuring Ba, Rewa and Nadi as the “pool of death” and said there would be no room for complacency.

“We will not underestimate any team because all teams will be tough and we are in the pool of death,” he said.

“We will deal with it game by game and hope for the best outcome.”

Prasad also called on Lautoka supporters to turn out in numbers at 4R Stadium and provide positive backing for the side throughout the tournament.

He stopped short of promising a title but assured supporters the players would be expected to give everything for the famous blue jersey.

“We do not promise anything in advance, but the team will do the best of the best to stand tall where the Blues belong,” Prasad said.

“Do come in numbers to provide positive support to our Blues team and promote the game of football.”

Prasad said football inevitably comes with highs and lows, but stressed that Lautoka would enter the tournament determined to compete for the ultimate prize.

“No team enters any competition to lose. We will try to be the greatest,” he said.

“The officials have done their part to prepare the best and now it is on the players to deliver what is expected.”

He also appealed to critics of the team to recognise the voluntary contribution being made by officials and to support the club constructively.

“Nothing can be achieved overnight, but we are doing our part and likewise the players will do their part. It is teamwork,” Prasad said.

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Vinaka, Mr. Rajesh Patel. All the best to Sundeep Roy!

𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞: FIJI FA VP ELECTIONS HEAT UP AS PATEL DECLARES NEUTRALITY

The race for the Fiji Football Association’s vice-presidential positions is gathering momentum ahead of the 88th Fiji FA Ordinary Congress, with Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel rejecting suggestions that he or the national football body is backing a particular candidate.

The elections are scheduled to take place this Friday at Xavier College grounds in Ba, ahead of the opening of the 2026 Extra Battle of the Giants at 4R Stadium.

For the VP West position, Max Chetty is unopposed and is expected to be elected by acclamation.

Attention will therefore be firmly on the contest for VP South, where Tailevu Naitasiri’s Sundeep Roy and Navua’s Rajeev Prasad are vying for the position.

Duavata News has received information alleging that certain districts have been approached by individuals said to be associated with Fiji FA, with representations allegedly being made in support of a particular candidate for VP South.

Duavata News has not independently established that Fiji FA, its President or any of its officials authorised or directed such approaches.

Given the nature of the claims, Duavata News put questions directly to Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel, who rejected any suggestion that he was campaigning for or supporting a particular candidate.

Patel told Duavata News that he remains neutral in the contest and will support whoever is elected by the Congress.

He also said he was not aware of any Fiji FA official campaigning on behalf of a candidate and stressed that officials of the national football body are expected to maintain neutrality during the electoral process.

Patel emphasised the importance of fairness and neutrality and wished the candidates well ahead of Friday’s vote.

He also congratulated Max Chetty, who is set to take up the VP West position after being returned unopposed.

The VP South contest between Roy and Prasad is now shaping up as one of the key items at the 88th Fiji FA Ordinary Congress, with delegates set to determine who takes up the position.

The Congress comes immediately before attention turns to the field, with the Extra Battle of the Giants getting underway at 4R Stadium in Ba.

Lautoka Football Association - LFA Bluez 💙

| Lautoka Football nominates Sundeep Roy for Fiji FA Vice President South

Long-serving Tailevu Naitasiri Football Association President Sundeep Roy has been nominated by Lautoka Football Association for the position of Fiji Football Association Vice President South.

Speaking to Duavata News, Lautoka Football Association President Shalendra Prasad confirmed the nomination and threw his support behind Roy, citing his extensive experience, proven leadership and years of contribution to football in Fiji.

Prasad believes Roy has the experience and administrative credentials required to contribute at a higher level within Fiji football.

Roy's football administrative journey stretches back more than two decades, beginning with Tailevu Naitasiri in 2003 when he served as Assistant Manager.

He returned to the association as Team Director in 2007 before making history a year later when, at just 27 years of age, he became the youngest President of the Tailevu Naitasiri Football Association.

Roy has remained unopposed in subsequent elections in 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024, reflecting the confidence placed in his leadership over the years.

His contribution to football administration has also received national recognition, with Roy winning the Fiji FA Administrator of the Year Award in 2008 and 2011.

Tailevu Naitasiri has achieved considerable success during his tenure, winning the National Senior Viti Levu League in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2021 and 2025.

The district also secured National Senior League titles in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2021 and 2025 and earned promotion to the Premier Division for the 2015, 2022 and 2026 seasons.

Tailevu Naitasiri also won the Senior Division Inter-District Championship in 2008, 2010 and 2012.

Roy's sustained contribution, vision and role in the transformation of the district has seen him widely regarded as the “Father of Modern Tailevu Naitasiri Football.”

His contribution extends beyond the football field.

Roy served as Vice President of the Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinithi Sabha Fiji – Rewa Branch from 2009 until January 2026 and was Manager of Chauhan Memorial School from 2013 until January 2026.

He currently continues his professional career as a businessman and Insurance Advisor with BSP Life Fiji Ltd.

Roy's nomination will now be subject to the Fiji FA governance process, with the Governance Committee expected to review the proposed nominations on September 2 before eligible candidates are confirmed.

To our friends at Galaxy FC, as you return home following your OFC Champions League campaign, we wish you a safe and pleasant journey back to Vanuatu.

It has been a privilege having you here in Fiji and sharing in the friendship, passion and spirit that football brings between our Pacific nations.

We hope you take home not only memories from the competition, but also the warmth and hospitality of Fiji and the friendships made along the way.

Safe travels, Galaxy FC!

💙⚽ **BLUES FANS, IT’S TIME TO STAND TOGETHER!** ⚽💙

The **Extra Supermarket BOG Tournament** is coming to **4R Stadium, Ba**, and our **LAUTOKA FC BLUES** need the famous Blue Army behind them! 🔵🔥

Lautoka FC has been drawn in **POOL B** alongside **Ba FC, Rewa FC and Nadi FC** — some massive battles are coming! 💪⚽

📣 **Calling all Lautoka fans!**
Bring your family, bring your friends, wear your **BLUE**, raise your voices and come out in numbers to support our boys! 💙💙💙

🏟️ **4R Stadium, Ba**
🔵 **LAUTOKA FC – THE BLUES**

Let’s turn Ba **BLUE!** 💙🔥
**ONE TEAM • ONE DREAM • ONE LAUTOKA!**

💙 **GO BLUES GO!** 💙