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Postcolonial control of Fiji soccer and the return of subjugated knowledges: From the 1970s to the 2010s

Authors :
Kieran E. James
Henry D. Tuidraki
Sheikh Ali Tanzil
Source :
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, Vol 4 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2022.

Abstract

The primary aim of this article is to use Foucault's idea of subjugated knowledges to search out areas and viewpoints within Fiji soccer which are suppressed by the governing authorities. To fulfill this aim, we explore and assess, via ethnographic research, the racial and ethnic aspects of Fiji soccer, from the 1970s to the 2010s, and how cultural hegemony facilitates continued Fiji Indian control and dominance within the sport. Next, and although we note the positive dimension of Fiji Football Association's 2014 Veterans' Dinner, we suggest that some ex-Ba players were apparently discriminated against by, puzzlingly, not being invited. The regulator was also unaware of, or insensitive to, ex-players' transportation needs as some were poor or invalid. We then look at the cases of Sweats Soccer Club (SSC) and Nadi Legends Football Club (NLFC) to show how, in the face of the regulator's indifference to the financial plight of an Indigenous village club (SSC), the ex-Nadi players set up instead a self-help organization (NLFC) to assist and encourage ex-players going through hard times. The latter was a cross-ethnic group/cross-class collaboration between ex-officials and ex-players and was largely outside the regulator's sphere of interest or intent.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
26249367
Volume :
4
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.4eb6ecdb87d640df82f82a7123b2a43f
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.1005733