FIJI football legend Silvester Joseph has strongly criticized the weekend Battle of the Giants tournament in Langley, British Columbia, Canada calling it poorly planned and inaccessible to supporters.
Joseph said the tournament failed to properly cater to fans and questioned the overall organization of the competition, adding that more thought should have gone into making the event accessible and attractive to the football community.
He also challenged organizers to stop relying on what he called “hollow promises” of lucrative sponsorship deals to entice teams to participate.
Joseph added that credibility and proper planning are essential if tournaments in the diaspora are to grow and maintain the trust of teams, players and supporters.
“The tournament was a failure,” Joseph said, urging organizers to reassess how future events are managed and promoted.
“At the tournament, I as well as many others have expressed our views on the false narrative presented in reporting on the enthusiastic crowds and vibrant atmosphere,” Joseph said while responding to Fijian league post on Facebook.
“This truly is further from the truth, because firsthand presence as well as others and videos independently circulating paint another picture.
“The truth is that the tournament was very poorly designed and organized, having a hundred spectators over two days and 100 players on two fields is what you call a vibrant and enthusiastic crowd, which speaks volumes of “your ignorance.”
Joseph said what would have helped was to “put truth to power”, rather than being deceptive to “your patrons and sponsors” by being disrespectful in denying them the truth’.
He stressed that his comments were not intended to demean or ridicule the efforts of organizers, but rather to offer honest feedback for the betterment of the football community.
“Remember truth prevails and reaching out may get you better results.”
Joseph congratulated Nadi on their well-deserved victory and Sacramento Naita for fine performance.
