THE Fijian Soccer League of Greater Vancouver failed to give development a priority and bad days have befallen on Premier soccer says Ashad Ali.
Ali, the former All-star and Flagstaff FC, utility spoke to Sportsone ahead of Sunday’s opening of the 2018 football season.
He said he is least surprised that premier football has suffered a slow death.
“You reap what you sow. What you work for is what you will get”.
The star footballer turned golfer, said had FSLGV invested in development, which they didn’t, they wouldn’t have struggled for players to make the clubs.
“The people who run the association have no vision.
“And besides how many have played the game to hold positions. It’s sad”.
Ali said when other nations and footballing associations allocate huge funds for development, FSLGV poaches players from other school of excellence for its survival.
“Do not expect to get success if you do not do what needs to be done”, said Ali
“The Fiji Football Association (FFA) had 21 clubs with 11 Premier and 11 Division One and every team had a host of youngsters, there is a problem with Fijian League”.
Ali laughed off the suggestion made on FSLGV Facebook that the lack of Fijian migration had contributed to the sudden decline of footballers on lower-mainland.
He said it has nothing to do with migration period added, spend the money, develop your very own and stop making excuses.
Ali says he is enjoying golf, his new passion and the sport that takes him to places world over.
“We did Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, USA and Europe. It’s fun”.
“I toured Fiji under FFA, I must admit there were some great football minds back then and did something right”.
