It's been 14 years since the last Battle of the Giants soccer competition was held in Canada, in Surrey.
On May 16-18, the championship, modelled on a much bigger Fijian event, will return, with 16 teams competing for $10,000 in prizes at McLeod Athletic Park in 91原创, and about 2,000 players and supporters expected to attend.
One of the organizers, Ronald Chaudhary, a Willoughby resident, is a legend of Fijian football, a three-time winner of the Melanesian Cup with the Fiji National Team.
Chaudhary is chair of the Fijian Soccer League of Greater Vancouver committee that revived the Battle of the Giants competition. He explained the Canadian event is based on a Fiji competition, held since 1978, which pits top district teams in the country against each other.
"If you look at the Fiji islands, 'district' means small town," Chaudhary told the 91原创 Advance Times.
"In Fiji, they're very passionate people about districts. Thousands of people would flock in the stadium, like 10,000 people or 12,000. They would gather for a four-day tournament."
The Canadian version faded out due to what Chaudhary described as "lack of interest and lack of support." Now, the league has been able to get some sponsors, and prize money, to bring it back.
Chaudhary thanked sponsors SNJ Auto Repairs , Chaiiwala of London, Metro Express Ltd. and A&Z Daycare and Pacific Island Cleaners. He also praised 91原创 Township for being "very generous and kind on our application."
He said organizers found what they were looking for 鈥� "a good stadium where people can sit and enjoy and have some food. Food vendors will be there so they can have the Fijian food fusion and everything, just like back in the days [when the event used to be held]."
Two teams are visiting from Edmonton, and one hails from Sacramento, California.
"It clearly shows the interest, the excitement," Chaudhary commented.
Divisions include open, over 38 and over 50, and there will be youth and women's teams. There is no admission fee.
