Former Nadi coach Toma spills the beans

Fiji Sports

Former Nadi football coach, Viliame TomaWHILE district trotting football coach Kamal Swamy has been appointed Nadi football coach, former coach Viliame Toma has finally broken his silence over how he learnt his fate.

Toma said he wants to be clear as daylight that he was never approached to continue coaching the district.

“I received a call from Master (Kamal Swamy) last Wednesday advising that he is Nadi coach and that he invited me and Emosi Balainuku to be his assistants,” Toma told Sportsone.

“Nadi officials had no audacity to reach out to me but through my successor.

“I traveled to Korovotu School grounds, the training field and had a good conversation, I told him that I’m a diehard Nadi man, and have always been one, with a clean conscience.

“I’m not about power or position and I don’t like to get into scenes or create one, so all the power to you and I’m out.

“I said I can’t speak for Emosi and that’s up to him, I left it at that."

Toma said Swamy made statements that Nadi would not win championships or build a formidable side on youth players, unless they signed experienced outside players left him flabbergasted.

“Youths are our future footballers, break them as starters and that would be the best way forward for the district."

Swamy’s comments were in contrary to what interim Nadi Football Association president Mun Sami Chetty who glorified on the NFA, Facebook, that Swamy's services have been secured on a long-term basis.

“As the experienced coach who looks to settle down in the Jetset Town with the vision to develop young players and adapt a playing philosophy that will be implemented from U16 onwards."

Chetty went on to say that some players have shown interest to join the district, but the focus is primarily to secure our own players and promote players from the Youth team, however any player who wishes to join the Green Machine on their own is most welcome.

“It’s not what he ran by me, we are at opposite ends when it comes to how we see the sport, I’m all about development of local footballers, it’s the way forward, our future”, said Toma.

The former national rep said he is not disgruntle about not coaching the district but how it all came down.

“Unprofessional."

Toma was appointed coach following the resignation of Salend Lal. Toma has had mixed results in the 3 DPL games, Nadi ended Labasa’s unbeaten run with a 1-0 win, drew Navua 1-1 and lost to Rewa 3-1.