Ba FC’s remarkable 2026 campaign has brought financial rewards for the Men in Black, with players receiving a combined FJ$50,000 following their historic clean sweep of Fiji’s four major domestic competitions. The payments were announced during a celebration organised by the Ba Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, October 31, recognising a season that saw the club return to the summit of Fijian football.
The amount includes the full FJ$25,000 prize awarded for winning the FMF Inter-District Championship (IDC), supplemented by a matching FJ$25,000 bonus from major sponsor Dayals Steel. An additional FJ$10,000 was allocated to the team’s management, bringing the combined player and management rewards to FJ$60,000.
Ba completed an extraordinary domestic quadruple in 2026, winning the Extra Premier League, BiC Fiji FACT, Extra Battle of the Giants and FMF Inter-District Championship. Their success marked an impressive turnaround following a disappointing 2025 campaign, when the club lost the IDC final to Rewa in front of its home supporters at the newly reopened Govind Park.
The Men in Black began their collection of trophies by ending a 16-year Fiji FACT title drought, defeating Navua on penalties after a goalless final. They subsequently secured their first national league championship in seven years before adding the Battle of the Giants title with a 2-1 victory over Rewa in September.
The BOG triumph was particularly significant after Ba suffered a 3-0 defeat against the same opponents during the group stage. The team recovered to reach the final and reverse that result, securing their 18th title in the competition.
The fourth trophy arrived on October 11, when Ba defeated Navua 2-0 in the IDC final at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. David Supa opened the scoring before Etonia Dogalau converted a penalty to complete the victory, following a foul on midfielder Nabil Begg.
The result sealed a rare achievement in Fijian football. Although Ba had previously won the league, Fiji FACT and BOG during the same season in 2006, their 2026 success came under the modern 90-minute tournament format and included the IDC championship.
Speaking during the celebration, Ba Football Association president Praneel Dayal acknowledged that the club’s transformation had required considerable work behind the scenes, particularly to address financial difficulties and rebuild the organisation.
Dayal recalled the disappointment of losing the 2025 IDC final and the commitment he subsequently made to restore the club’s competitive standing.
The association president explained that sponsorship negotiations, fundraising events and changes to the club’s technical and administrative structures had all contributed to the recovery.
“Ba Football must always come before any individual. No one is bigger than the badge,” Dayal said.
The Ba president also acknowledged the financial support provided by his elder brother, Jay Dayal, through Dayals Steel. According to Praneel Dayal, the company’s sponsorship contributions exceeded FJ$200,000 during the club’s rebuilding process.
He further stated that he had personally provided more than FJ$1 million in financial support to Ba Football Association since assuming the presidency, illustrating the scale of investment he said was required to restore the club’s operations.
Beyond the financial contributions, the players’ consistency throughout the season proved decisive. Ba demonstrated resilience in knockout competitions while maintaining the performances necessary to claim the national league championship.
Their achievements were also recognised internationally, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino sending a congratulatory message following their Extra Premier League triumph in September.
The celebrations extended beyond the official function, with supporters gathering in Ba to honour the team. A procession through the town brought together players, officials and members of the community, reflecting the significance of the achievement for one of Fiji’s most successful football districts.
For the players, the financial reward represents recognition of their contributions to a season that restored Ba’s domestic dominance. The FJ$50,000 payment also highlights the importance of commercial backing in Fiji’s football environment, where sponsorship and community fundraising remain essential to sustaining district teams.
With all four major domestic trophies secured, Ba have established a formidable benchmark for their rivals heading into 2027. Maintaining that standard will be the next challenge for a club that has transformed the disappointment of the previous year into one of the most successful campaigns in its history.
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