The taste of victory
LABASA’S first IDC win was in 1992 at Ratu Cakobau Park.
Before the IDC weekend the weather in the Central Division was identified as a setback as the Nadi Weather Office had reported a gloomy outlook of continued rain for Nausori, Suva and Navua.
Eyes were on the Anand Samicoached Labasa team, which was steered by president Peter Nand.
The Lions had star players such as Petero Namoce, Hendry Francis, Taniela Tuilevuka, Jope Lomu, Nete Francis, Ramendra Dutt, Epeli Levaci, Buli Cama, Tevita Tukania, Simon Peters (late), Sakiusa Narara, Solomone Catarogo, Sirino Logaivou and Waisale Rasoki.
Fiji FA decided to go ahead with the 54th IDC tournament despite Ratu Cakobau Park being waterlogged.
The tournament was officially opened by the then prime ministere, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara (late).
About 8000 fans braved wet conditions as Ba beat Lautoka (2-0) while Suva and Tavua and Rewa and Nasinu drew (0-0). The Lions sizzled past Tavua (2-1).
On the other hand, power failure had forced the abandonment of the IDC and this disappointed Labasa fans as the Lions led Lautoka (4-0).
Other notable actions included Ba’s (2-0) win over Nadi, Nasinu’s (1-0) win over Navua and Tavua’s (1-0) upset win over Lautoka. Labasa dumped Lautoka (2-0) while Suva and Rewa played to a goalless draw.
Labasa, the Men In Black (led by Rova, Allan Jesoni, Bimal Sami, Taito Bula, Rokoqica, Teti Vosa, Vosaboto, Basudra, Lote Delai, Nasema and Madigi), Nadroga (led by Vinod Kumar, Kurivitu, Sevuloni Tasere, Ned Hicks, Anirudh Sigh, brothers Jack and Charles Work, Abraham Watkins, the late Mesu Titifanua and Mosese Jese, Bineshwar, Petaia Natisiwai, Nawalu, Kini Tubi, Kaminieli Tuilawaki and Vilikesa Bola), and Nasinu (led by Vonolagi, Manaan, Sikuri, the late Jone Naqiri, Ronald Chaudhry, Patrick Wise, Dharmen Nair, Ram Naidu, Elia Lawakeli, Eliki Lui, Rajesh Kumar, Nabuta and Lai Gukisuva) made the semis.
After the completion of day four the Lions topped pool A with 10 points after beating Ba (1-0). Ba finished on second spot with nine points while Nadroga topped pool B with nine points, followed by Nasinu on seven points. In the semis Nadroga beat Ba (1-0) as ANZ Bank officer Charles Work scored the lone goal. The Lions outclassed Nasinu (2-1) with goals by Levaci and Tukania. The Fiji Times article titled
‘Labasa’s IDC heroes’ on Monday October 19, 1992, reported that the Peters (late) and Buli Cama immortalised themselves as the tournament’s fittest and most skilful and innovative team won their first IDC title.
Anand Sami had finally guided the Lions to the trophy in the 50th year after three past failures.
Nadroga coach Terry Allan, who was gracious in defeat, said that his team lacked strength.
It was a wonderful IDC for northern fans as Savusavu (led by the Surend Rama (late) and boasting names such as Steven Andrews, Mahesh Charan, Kishor Chand, George Singh, Clarance Lakshman (late), Samu Bainikoro, Isikeli Saunitoga, Are Sauliga, Lagilagi Rakiyaca and Jone Vuwai) and Labasa returned home with the spoils.
In Labasa that Sunday became a weekday as the townsfolk gave their heroes a king’s welcome.
Players and officials were carried on the shoulders of supporters.
Labasa’s next win was in 1994. a year which was marred by a split between the Fiji Football Association and the newly formed Fiji National Soccer Association.
The FFA-organised IDC was held in Suva while the new Wonderchick $75k IDT (Inter-District Tournament) was organised in Ba and soccer fans were divided.
After the completion of pool play Labasa with 10 points (and stars such as Namoce, Narara, Solomone Seruratu, Tuilevuka, Viliame Ropate, Buli, Levaci, Tevita and Setareki Tukania, Rasoki, Livai Duquca and Kolaia Nabaro) and Nadroga with eight points made the semis from pool A while Suva (eight points) and Lautoka (six points) made the semis from pool B.
The Lions beat Ba (1-0), Navua (2-1) and Nadi (1-0), and drew with Nadroga (0-0).
In the semis, Rasoki’s goal was enough to help Labasa down a spirited Lautoka outfit.
In the other semis, Suva beat Nadoga (5-3) in the dreaded penalty kicks as third choice Suva goalie Joela Baledrokadroka stopped Tasere’s penalty.
Both teams were locked (1-1) with Nawalu and Navitalai Visawaqa scoring for Nadroga and Suva respectively.
Ramend Dutt and Kini Tubi were successful for Nadro while Nawalu’s shot hit the left-post.
Jiten Kumar (late), Saiyasi Tubuna, Segran and Mohammed Yusuf were successful for Suva.
The final lived up to expectations as Labasa beat Suva (1-0) to win their second IDC title.
Diwali came early for Labasa residents as people from all walks of life jammed the streets with fireworks and musical instruments.
The Lions scored through Solomone Seruratu in the second minute of extra-time at the national stadium watched by close to 10k fans.
The Whites with the likes of Baledrokadroka, current PS Sports Maretino Nemani, Yusuf, Steve McMahon, Jiten Singh, Riakhat Khan, Meli Debalevu, Jone Watisoni, Shalen Lal, Tubuna and Visawaqa, Imtiaz Khan, Premlesh Naicker and Lasaqa failed to defend their home turf.
IDC tournaments came and went and Labasa’s losing streak haunted fans until 2011 when the president Ajesh Sharma brought Gurjit Singh to spearhead Labasa and the Lions secured the services of the likes of Akuila Mateisuva, Ajesh Narayan, Samu Kautoga, Kavaia Rawaqa, Pita Bolaitoga, Sandip Nair, Amit Kanhaiya, Roy Krishna, Ilaitia Tuilau,Maciu Dunadamu, Taniela Waqa and Ilisoni Logaivou.
Moreover, current FFA president Rajesh Patel was elected as FFA president after a landslide victory against Wheels of Change candidate Shailendra Prasad.
In their opening match the Lions with a host of star players had to fight a (2-0) deficit to come back into the match equalising (2-2) with goals by Dan and Roy after Manuca and Naresia had given Ba the handy lead. Labasa beat Nadi (3-1) but Dunadamu was red carded.
Meanwhile, the national stadium had turned into a swamp as a result of heavy rain but Labasa thrashed Savusavu (6-0).
In the semis against Lautoka, Labasa was awarded a penalty after assistant referee Mohammed Akhtar flagged Blues defender Peni Finau for fouling Roy.
Referee Bobby Dave did not hesitate to award Labasa a penalty and Roy scored from the spot kick to gift the Lions the (1-0) win.
Ba also beat Suva by a single goal that was scored by Tiwa.
The final was mouth-watering as Dunadamu pounced on a pass from Roy. He found the back of the net as Labasa fans celebrated wildly.
The likes of Ralulu, Waran, Kalou, Roneel, Vesikula, Manuca, Meli and Epeli Codro, Naika, Tiwa and captain Kanihewe walked out of the field wounded while Labasa celebrated and ended the losing jinx.
From an unknown person Labasa FA President Ajesh Sharma had become a hero.
Labasa fans may have forgotten him but I pay tribute to the businessman who guided the Lions to their first IDC win after 17 years.
Fans were delighted and when Dunadamu scored the goal an ardent Labasa fan jumped on to the tracks and gave him $50.
Monday’s headline read “At last! 17 years on- Stars mobbed
as Lions end IDC jinx” as Ilisoni Logaivou shared how his dream came true.
Ironically, Labasa’s last win before this year’s IDC win was at the ANZ National Stadium just as it was in 1994 and 2011. Labasa managed to secure the services of top Ba players Remueru Tekiate and Praneel Naidu while the likes of Mateisuva, Akeimi, Edwin Sahayam, Lekima, Matanasiga, Ratu Anare, Wasasala, Lolaivalu, Logaivou and Dan Waqa played crucial roles for the Lions.
In the opening match the Propellor Shaft Services Labasa brigade beat Suva (2-1), and drew with Lautoka (0-0) and Nadroga (1-1).
The Lions topped group A with five points on a better goal difference over Lautoka while Ba and Nadi (with five points each) made it from group B.
In the semis Edwin Sahayam sent Nadi packing as he scored a classic goal while Ba beat Lautoka.
Therefore, the 2016 IDC final was between traditional rivals Labasa and Ba and Labasa raced away with a (2-0) cushion with goals by Lekima and Ratu Anare.
Ba pulled one back but it was not enough as Labasa held on firmly to win their fourth IDC title.
Just like the 2019 IDC title the 1992, 1994, 2011 and 2016 wins are special and I pay tribute to the then officials and players for doing Labasa proud.
As I conclude, I salute president Rayaz, coach Ronil, manager Nilu, sponsor Suntek Distributors and the players for the beautiful win at Prince Charles Park.
Thank you so much for uniting to gift the Labasians a special Fiji Day gift!
On Saturday Labasa was a sea of red as fans mobbed their stars and the team officials.
The celebration was a thriller just as were the lively commentaries by the ‘Voice of Soccer and Fiji’s number one commentator Raymond Stoddart!
Finally, a big vinaka vakalevu to the staff at The Fiji Times library for providing me with the necessary documents that helped me compile this article.
Red fire!
■ Rajnesh Ishwar Lingam is a regular contributor to this newspaper and the views expressed in this article are his and not of The Fiji Times.