Vanuatu football mourns former FIFA assistant referee Alick Lukai after 26 years of service

Vanuatu football is mourning the passing of Alick Lukai, a long-serving referee and former FIFA assistant referee whose involvement in the game stretched for more than two decades. Tributes have emerged from across the Port Vila football community following the news of Lukai’s death, remembering an official who remained involved in local football until only weeks before his passing.

According to Port Vila Football Focus, Lukai began his refereeing career around 2000, after previously being involved in football as a player. What followed was approximately 26 years of service to the game, during which he progressed from domestic competitions in Port Vila to representing Vanuatu at regional level.

One of the major milestones of his career came when he was awarded a FIFA assistant referee badge. Oceania Football Confederation records confirm that Lukai was among the new Vanuatu officials to receive FIFA recognition in January 2008, at a time when the Vanuatu Football Federation was expanding its group of internationally qualified referees. The achievement opened the way for Lukai to take appointments in competitions involving some of the leading clubs and national teams in the Pacific.

OFC records show Lukai working as an assistant referee in several editions of the region’s premier club competition, including matches involving Amicale FC, Hekari United, Koloale, Solomon Warriors, Ba and Waitakere United. He was part of the officiating team for Amicale’s 2013 OFC Champions League semifinal first leg against Waitakere United in Port Vila, while he also received appointments at the 2012 OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, including matches featuring New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga.

His contribution did not end after his period as a FIFA-listed official. Lukai continued serving the Port Vila Football Association for years afterwards, remaining a familiar figure at domestic matches. Port Vila Football Focus recalled his willingness to accept appointments, stating that he would sometimes officiate as many as three matches in a day and rarely turned down an opportunity to serve the game.

Remarkably, Lukai was still actively involved during the 2026 season. According to the local tribute, his final PVFA assignment came on 30 July, when he officiated the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 Cooperative Cup grand final. Later that same day, he travelled to VFF Freshwater Stadium to serve as fourth official in the President’s Cup final. His continued presence around the game more than two decades after beginning as a referee illustrates the commitment for which he is now being remembered.

The response to his passing has extended beyond the refereeing community. Galaxy FC described Lukai as a dedicated referee and valued member of Vanuatu football whose commitment to fairness and years of service would be remembered. “Your service to the game will never be forgotten,” the club wrote in its tribute. VBTC News also remembered him as a former FIFA assistant referee who dedicated years to both the Port Vila Football Association and Vanuatu Football Federation while representing the country in national and regional competitions.

Other tributes have highlighted the respect Lukai commanded away from football as well, remembering him as a church deacon and community figure. On the field, however, his legacy can be measured through a refereeing career that connected grassroots football in Port Vila with some of Oceania’s most important competitions.

For many years players, coaches and supporters in Vanuatu saw Alick Lukai with a flag or whistle in hand. His passing removes one of the familiar figures of Port Vila football, but the 26 years he devoted to refereeing and the generation of matches he helped oversee leave a lasting contribution to the game in Vanuatu.