Former referee Suresh Behari is angry with the Fiji Football Association claiming it is neglecting development of futsal soccer.

Behari is Fiji’s first futsal referee and says there is lack of development of the sport.

He said lack of support clearly reflected on the national team’s poor outing in last year’s Oceania World Cup qualifier won by the Solomon Islands.

The former FIFA badge holder is fuming because he says Fiji FA has refused to provide him with special futsal balls to develop the sport in Caubati where he resides.

“There are a lot of interested youths and I requested in writing for Fiji FA to provide us with two balls but the response from chief executive Bob Kumar is just unacceptable,” he said.

“Bob replied immediately saying if Fiji FA started giving balls to everyone then others will start asking for it as well.’”

Such a response according to Behari is unacceptable.

“Bob didn’t even bother to discuss it with the futsal committee or the board of control and denied us straightway.

“He didn’t bother to recommend us to a development officer who could visit us.

“If Bob has this kind of attitude then he should just step down. Clearly, he is not helping.”

Behari in 2007 attended a futsal course where participants were told by the instructor from United States to take the game to their respective communities.

“The instructor told us, anytime you guys need balls get it from Fiji FA. I was there and he gave a lot of futsal balls for development.”

“At least they should provide us with resources but I don’t think Fiji FA is interested in futsal development.”

Behari’s son Amitesh refereed in the futsal World Cup last September and his sons Ravitesh, Kavitesh and Pravitesh are referees as well.

“All we can do is development work in our area,” he said.

He retired in 2002. Behari officiated in the 1999 Confederation Cup and the under-17 World Cup in Egypt in 1997.

Kumar yesterday advised youths of Caubati to attend futsal clinics organised by Fiji FA.

“We can’t give balls to individuals.” He clarified later, it was agreed to give soccer balls to the Beharis but Behari said it was not true.

Source : The Fiji Times Online
By : Amit Raj
Published : 11/1/2009