THE drum rolled at the Fiji Football Association (FFA) House for the official launch of Bula FC, the team set to represent Fiji in next year’s OFC Professional League.
FFA president Rajesh Patel was all smiles, sweet-talking the audience as he announced the franchise’s new chairman, Mark McElrath.
Other key appointments included Anushil Kumar as acting CEO, Nazia Ali as acting Chief Commercial Officer, and Stéphane Auvray as Head Coach.
While Patel painted a rosy picture of the franchise, there’s little to suggest that Bula FC will be any different from the Bula Boys.
Fans and stakeholders have little reason to expect better results than what they’ve long endured from the national team.
Unless something truly changes, results will remain stagnant leaving fans howling in frustration at the unprogressive state of football in the country.
A Legacy of Failure
For years, the FFA has been a poor performer in regional football and an even weaker force on the international stage.
Much of that failure lies with the short-sighted leadership of Rajesh Patel, who was recently exposed by former football administrator Nilesh Lal for alleged internal manipulation.
Lal spoke candidly about how FFA’s top brass amended the constitution to consolidate power, ensuring they could hold onto leadership positions indefinitely.
According to him, the inner circle methodically influenced district delegates to pass policies that allowed Patel and his allies to maintain control a move that perfectly captures what’s wrong with Fiji’s football governance.
Bula FC will operate in the shadows of its masters, the FFA, and will likely achieve little of note in the OFC Professional League.
And there’s no reason to believe otherwise.
For as long as football remains under those same shadows, fans will have little faith left to give.
The Drua Comparison Falls Flat
There’s a popular notion that Bula FC follows the Fijian Drua model. But that comparison doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
The Drua concept was built on a foundation of structure, talent, and shared ownership.
With the Fijian Drua, there’s a deep player pool, locals and overseas-based professionals bringing with them elite standards, discipline, and a competitive edge.
The Fijian Government holds a 51 percent stake, while the Fiji Rugby Union owns 49 percent.
Since joining Super Rugby Pacific in 2022, the Drua have faced their share of challenges, but they’re backed by a network of rugby experts from management to coaching to player development.
And while results have been mixed, the Drua have sold out home games, built a loyal fan base, and turned their merchandise into a commercial success — largely through effective marketing and a genuine connection with supporters.
With Bula FC, it’s anyone’s guess whether home games will attract fans or if anyone will buy the merchandise.
Without a clear strategy, structure, or independence from the FFA, the “professional” tag may prove to be little more than a rebrand, not a revolution.
Players and Contracts
For a start, the acting CEO has his work cut out.
He must sign players to professional contracts and many of those will likely come from the existing Bula Boys pool.
But the big questions remain:
What will the salary cap look like?
And will contracted players still be eligible to represent their district teams during the domestic season between January and April?
These are crucial details that will determine whether Bula FC truly marks a shift toward professionalism, or whether it’s just another chapter in Fiji’s long-running football farce.
New Coach, Same Cycle
The FFA has formed a bad habit — and as the saying goes, bad habits are hard to break.
Every few years, a new coach is introduced, but the results remain the same.
The turnover is massive, and new head coach Stéphane Auvray will soon find out what he’s up against.
One can only hope for the best but expect the worst.
Until football in Fiji is freed from the same shadows that have long dimmed its promise, Bula FC will remain just another name in the dark.
