Ba FC have appointed former Solomon Islands international Batram Suri as their new head coach for the 2026/27 season, bringing in one of Oceania’s most experienced football figures just days after the controversial departure of Ravinesh Kumar.
The appointment was confirmed by Ba Football Association on 23 October, with Suri set to lead a new coaching structure that includes the return of Joshua Wilson as assistant coach and Izaz Ali as team manager.
The decision comes after Ba completed a remarkable domestic season, winning four major titles under Kumar before the association unexpectedly terminated his contract on 18 October.
The Men in Black secured the Fiji FACT, Battle of the Giants, Inter-District Championship and Extra Premier League titles, completing a domestic quadruple that restored the club’s position at the forefront of Fijian football.
Despite those achievements, Ba’s executive committee decided to make a coaching change, creating an opportunity for Suri to take charge of one of the country’s most successful football districts.
The Solomon Islander arrives with extensive experience both as a player and a coach, having represented his country on nearly 50 occasions and spent part of his playing career in New Zealand.
Suri also has longstanding connections with Fijian football, having represented Nadi FC during his playing career before returning to the country in recent years as a coach.
His most significant recent coaching achievement came with Vanuatu’s Galaxy FC, whom he guided to the semifinals of the 2026 OFC Men’s Champions League in Fiji.
Galaxy impressed during the continental tournament, winning all three group-stage matches to finish first in Group B ahead of Rewa FC.
Their campaign eventually ended in a dramatic semifinal against Solomon Islands representatives Central Coast FC, with Suri’s side recovering from a two-goal deficit to force extra time before losing 3-2 to a late winner from Raphael Lea’i.
Although Galaxy narrowly missed out on the final, their performances demonstrated Suri’s ability to compete against some of Oceania’s strongest clubs.
Following the tournament, the former Solomon Islands international accepted an opportunity to coach Lautoka FC during the 2026 Battle of the Giants, taking charge of the Blues shortly before the competition in September.
His subsequent move to Ba represents another important appointment in Fijian football, particularly given the expectations surrounding a club that has just completed one of its most successful domestic campaigns in recent years.
Suri has also worked with Solomon Islands youth national teams and previously coached Ifira Black Bird in Vanuatu, gaining experience across several football environments in the Pacific.
For Ba, the immediate challenge will be maintaining the standards established during the 2026 season while beginning preparations for another demanding campaign.
The appointment of Wilson as assistant coach provides continuity within the association, while Izaz Ali will take responsibility for the team’s management operations.
The new technical staff are expected to oversee Ba’s preparations for the Pacific Cup, scheduled to take place from 25 to 29 November at 4R Stadium in Fiji.
The appointment also comes during a period of considerable attention surrounding Kumar’s departure.
The former head coach publicly questioned the circumstances of his dismissal, stating that he had not received a formal termination letter or detailed information regarding allegations made against him.
Ba Football Association, meanwhile, thanked Kumar for his contribution and expressed its intention to build on the team’s recent success.
With Suri now confirmed as his successor, the association has moved quickly to establish a new coaching team ahead of the forthcoming season.
For the Solomon Islands football legend, the appointment provides an opportunity to add another chapter to a career that has taken him across several Pacific countries.
For Ba, the challenge will be considerably different: after winning four domestic titles in 2026, the Men in Black will enter the new campaign with expectations of maintaining their dominance under a new head coach.
