THE Ba Football Association is in full festive mode as the district celebrates 90 years of football during the 2025 Inter-District Championship (IDC).
The week-long festivities have drawn former administrators, players, and diehard fans back to the spiritual home of football Govind Park, affectionately known as 4R Stadium.
It’s a grand milestone for the district often dubbed the Men in Black.
But amid the jubilation, one of Ba’s oldest living legends feels forgotten.
Zikar Ali, a household name from the 1960s says the new leadership has overlooked the players who built Ba’s proud legacy.
“I would have loved to be part of the 90-year carnival if I had been invited,” said Ali.
“What Ba FA is doing is good, but these young leaders must be reminded of the historical importance of the IDC and of those who represented the district with all their heart.”
Now 87 and living in Nasinu, Ali is believed to be Ba’s longest-surviving footballer from its golden era.
He was part of the side that lifted the prestigious Lloyd Farebrother Cup in 1961, Ba’s first, and playing alongside some of the district’s all-time greats like Meera Sami and Augustine Thoman.
Ali said he only recently learned about the 90-year celebrations.
He stressed that Ba’s football legacy wasn’t built in the last few decades alone, but across the full span of its 90-year journey.
“This 90-year carnival should reflect the full history of the district,” he said.
“How many of us from the 1961 championship winning teams are still around?”
Reflecting on how football culture has changed, Ali said the spotlight today seems to shine more on administrators than on players.
“We played with the heart underneath our jerseys not for a label of recognition,” he said.
“We represented Ba. Today, it seems more about the label than the legacy.”
Despite his disappointment, Ali wished Ba, Rewa, Suva and Labasa the best for the semifinals tomorrow.
