SUVA CITY COUNCIL CLARIFIES ALBERT PARK BOOKING

The Suva City Council would like to address the discussions surrounding the booking decisions, particularly those raised by Fiji Football regarding the recent allocation of Albert Park to the Fiji Rugby Union next month. Firstly, the Council emphasizes its unwavering commitment to supporting all sporting codes, particularly recognizing that utilizing the facility can enhance its exposure. However, the main focus remains the critical long-term sustainability and pristine condition of the Park.

The Fiji FA had approached the SCC last month, seeking to book Albert Park Grounds 1, 3, and 4 for official training sessions for the OFC Women’s teams participating in the Nations Cup from June 30th to July 19th, 2025.

Given the current maintenance schedule and the significant ongoing efforts to ensure the pristine condition of Albert Park’s playing surfaces, the Council faced a complex decision. A key factor in this deliberation was the extensive 18-day booking period requested by Fiji FA and its potential impact on the field’s surface.

During the period of negotiation for the hire rates with Fiji FA, the Council also received a separate booking request from FRU for a 4-day training session in preparation for the July Test between Flying Fijians and Tier 1 nation, Scotland.

After careful consideration and extensive discussions, SCC Acting CEO Mr Tevita Boseiwaqa confirmed the Council’s decision.

“While we deeply appreciate Fiji FA’s proposal to utilize and contribute to our facilities, our paramount priority is the long-term sustainability and optimal condition of Albert Park. The extensive duration of the requested football training period, coupled with the current maintenance requirements, posed a significant challenge to preserving the integrity of the playing surface. Therefore, the Suva City Council regrettably informed the Fiji Football Association that Albert Park will not be available for their proposed dates,” Mr Boseiwaqa added.

The Council apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause to Fiji FA and looks forward to future collaborations that align with the best interests of our facilities and the broader sporting community.