Fiji Football Association have confirmed the departure of Sunil Kumar, the country’s Head of Talent Development and national U-16 coach, who is moving to Papua New Guinea to take up a new opportunity involving Papua New Guinea football and Hekari FC ahead of the 2027 OFC Professional League season.
Kumar leaves after overseeing one of the most successful periods in Fiji’s youth football history, having guided the country to three consecutive FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifications. His departure represents a significant change within the national development structure, particularly as Fiji prepare for their second consecutive appearance at the global tournament in Qatar later this month.
The Fiji FA announced his departure on November 3, with chief executive Mohammed Yusuf acknowledging the coach’s contribution to the development of young footballers.
“Sunil has shown great commitment to identifying and developing our young players. We thank him for his service and wish him every success in this new chapter,” Yusuf said.
Kumar’s achievements have been closely associated with the emergence of a new generation of Fijian talent. Under his guidance, Fiji secured qualification for the 2025, 2026 and 2027 FIFA U-17 World Cups following three consecutive top-three finishes at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship.
The breakthrough came in 2024, when Fiji earned their first-ever qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup during the continental tournament in Tahiti. The following year, the country made its debut on the global stage in Qatar, providing young players with international experience against opponents from outside Oceania.
Fiji subsequently qualified for the 2026 edition and secured another berth for 2027 during the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in Papua New Guinea, maintaining a level of consistency previously unseen in the country’s youth football programme.
Among the players to develop under Kumar is Maikah Dau, who captained Fiji during the 2024 qualifying campaign before progressing to professional football with Bula FC and earning his first senior international appearances in 2026.
Dau’s progression reflects the pathway Kumar has sought to establish between youth internationals and senior football. The midfielder became the youngest player to feature in the inaugural OFC Professional League and subsequently contributed to Fiji’s MSG Prime Minister’s Cup triumph.
Kumar’s work has extended beyond coaching national teams. As Head of Talent Development, he has been involved in identifying emerging footballers through schools and district competitions, while also addressing the difficulties young internationals face in securing regular opportunities at senior club level.
In October, Kumar and Fiji FA Technical Director David Baltase raised concerns over the lack of competitive football available to youth internationals. Figures presented during a technical workshop revealed that only nine of 48 U-16 and U-17 internationals from the 2024–2026 period were playing regularly for senior district teams.
The findings highlighted a major challenge for Fiji football: ensuring that progress at international youth level translates into sustainable careers beyond the age-group competitions.
Originally from Ba, Kumar began his coaching journey while working as a schoolteacher. Having previously played youth football in his home district, he became involved with Ba’s youth teams before progressing through Fiji’s national coaching structure.
He has frequently credited former Fiji national team coach Yogendra Dutt as one of his most important influences, having learned from him during his early years in football.
His coaching philosophy places considerable emphasis on personal development, discipline and building strong relationships with players, particularly when working with teenagers competing internationally for the first time.
The move to Papua New Guinea offers Kumar an opportunity to take that experience into another developing football environment, where Hekari FC are preparing for their second season in the OFC Professional League.
The Port Moresby-based club have already appointed Iranian-born American coach Matt Badiee as head coach for the 2027 campaign, following a difficult inaugural season in which Hekari finished bottom of the standings.
Kumar’s precise responsibilities within Hekari and Papua New Guinea football have not yet been detailed in the Fiji FA announcement. Nevertheless, his background in youth development and player identification could prove valuable as the club looks to strengthen its domestic foundations and become more competitive at professional level.
For Fiji, his departure comes at a particularly important moment, with another U-17 World Cup approaching and the country’s younger generation increasingly benefiting from professional football opportunities.
Kumar leaves behind three consecutive World Cup qualifications and a development programme that has helped establish a new benchmark for Fiji’s youth national teams. His next challenge will take him to Papua New Guinea, where the professional game’s expansion is creating new opportunities for coaches and players across Oceania.
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