Fiji Football Association chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf cleared the air yesterday to justify Suva’s qualification in the this year’s Rooster Chicken/Scoops Ice Cream Battle of the Giants tournament at the HFC Bank stadium.

“Twenty members of Fiji FA districts made a decision in a council meeting two years ago that the BOG top eight format should include the hosting team,” Yusuf said.

“The format should always have the host and top seven in the Fiji Digicel Premier League ranking that qualifies,” he said.

“We have no say and as it stands, Suva being the ninth team in the ranking has qualified because they are the hosts while Nasinu misses out which is unlucky.

“The winner of the BOG tournament will receive $17,000 and the runner-up will claim $5000.”

Pool draws yesterday confirmed that Group A will include Suva, Rewa, Ba, Nadroga while Group B have Labasa, Lautoka, Nadi and Navua.

This year’s BOG tournament on July 26 to 28 will feature 12 pool games.

The semi-final and final will be held on August 3 and 4.

French Ambassador of Fiji Francios-Xavier Leger is chief guest for the official opening on July 26.

“People will have to purchase their tickets and get the barcode scanned before they can enter the stadium,” he said.

“We are trying it for the first time as we want to move on the new technologies available.”

Yusuf said the pools for the BOG tournament were evenly distributed.

“There is no pool of death, this will ensure that the best four teams will qualify,” he said.

“Any team from the two pools can qualify for the semi-finals.”

Yusuf added members of the national team and Under 19 players will be available for the tournament.

Ticket prices – grandstand – $20 adult and $10 child; grass and concrete embankment – $10 adult and $5 children.

Feedback: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj