Former Lautoka Football Association (Lautoka FA) president Raymond Singh has called on Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) president Rajesh Patel not to mislead diehard football followers in the country. He was replying to Patel’s interview with SUNsports on the development of football in the country where he also lashed out at critics. Singh said Patel replaced the late, Dr Shamshud Din Sahu Khan, who had led Fiji FA for a record 26 years from 1985 to 2011. “Now Patel is saying that there was hardly any structure in place when he took over as Fiji FA president,” Singh told SUNsports yesterday. “Patel served as a (Fiji FA) vice-president under the late Sahu Khan. Patel is following the same path for over 14 years. In that interview Patel stated that Fiji FA needs to have all its foundation, development and structural in place before one could start thinking of the men’s World Cup qualifications. Backbone of development In his reply, Singh said this is far from the truth. “Previously, how come without proper infrastructure and development the national men’s team was able to beat New Zealand and Australia? “Without any infrastructure there was a record number of clubs that produced top classy players that went on to represent Fiji.” Singh said club level football has been the backbone of development for the past decades and not the hosting of tournaments like Fiji FACT, Battle of the Giants and the Inter-District Championship. Patel also stated in the interview to get funding: “FIFA has seen what the programmes are, what we are doing, what’s our finance and governance, transparency and development are.” Singh said to set the record straight, FIFA, the world’s football governing body has 211 affiliated member associations across six continents. The fact of the matter is that all 211 FIFA member association including, Fiji FA, are allocated up to US $8 million (FJ$18.7m) for the 2023-2026 cycle through the FIFA forward 3.0 programme, with a total investment of US$2.25 billion (FJ$5.25bn) “The US$8 million (FJ$18.7m) funding, will enable Fiji FA to create new facilities, including a new boutique stadium in Lomolomo, Lautoka for around 15,000 spectators. “Contrary to Patel’s statement, the funding will also enhance local expertise, support local competitions and send our national teams to compete internationally. “The funding has been given out to all the 21 associated nations to make them realise the importance of development and taking the sport to a whole new level. “Even the new Fiji FA team bus was funded by the FIFA Forward programme. “San Marino, the last in the FIFA world rankings (210th) with just a population of around 35,000 also received US$8 million (FJ$18.7m) funding and more for infrastructure development. Focus on minor sports Singh said he did not agree with the Minister of Youth and Sports Jese Saukuru on his comments that Fiji FA has performed well and how they are developing from the very grassroots level. “Honourable Minister, maybe you should ask Rajesh Patel that under his leadership when was the last time the Fiji men’s football team won the gold medal at the Pacific Games, let alone qualifying for the World Cup. “The only difference is that millions of FIFA dollars keep pouring into Fiji FA’s coffers and in no point in time you will be able to remove them for the betterment of Fiji Football going to the next level. “Maybe, he (Saukuru) should focus on minor sports like weightlifting, lawn bowls, cricket, golf and netball, that competes in the world stage with minor funding.” Singh said he was also disappointed at the comments made by Lautoka FA president Shalendra Prasad where he stated that such development shows the trust FIFA has in Fiji FA by providing funding like never before. Also, he indicated that it won’t be long before Fiji will start stamping its mark in the region and on the world stage. “What Prasad should understand that if he had been Fiji FA president he would be given the same treatment by FIFA,” Singh added. “Also for the first time in nearly 100 years history of the FIFA World Cup, New Zealand from the Oceania region has direct entry to the biggest football tournament on earth, which is being expanded from 32 to 48 teams in 2026. “Even runners-up New Caledonia has a chance to qualify via the FIFA Intercontinental play- off tournament. Fiji FA seemed content with the big FIFA dollars pouring in with no positive World Cup qualifying results.” leonec@fijisun.com.fj