Sunday 06 August 2023, 09:45

Fiji Football Association names key football facility after Pelé

  • King Pelé Fitness Centre at the Fiji FA training complex was officially opened by Gianni Infantino

  • FIFA President has asked for all 211 member associations to name a football venue after Pelé

  • The new fitness centre is a key facility for the development of young players in Fiji

The Football Association of Fiji (FFA) has opened a new fitness centre as part of its plans to develop football in the country and named the facility after the late Brazilian legend Pelé. The King Pelé Fitness Centre, an important addition to the FFA’s training complex and which will play a key role in Fiji’s ambitious plans to develop elite level players, was officially opened by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during his visit to the Pacific Island nation. The fitness centre was built with support of the FIFA Forward development programme.

Mr Infantino has said that he would like each one of FIFA’s 211 member associations to name at least one stadium or football venue after Pelé, who passed away on 29 December 2022. Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Rwanda, Colombia, Panama, the Maldives and Vanuatu have already followed up on President Infantino’s call to recognise the football’s first truly global icon.