MARIJUANA use by Fiji's elite footballers is rife, say eight of the 10 presidents of soccer's premier districts playing in the Vodafone FACT which starts today.
They all agreed the only way to combat soccer's dark cloud was to have random tests, regardless of the cost.
At a minimum $600 a test, most districts' presidents believe any player failing a drugs test should be named and shamed.
That, they say, is the only way to kill off a habit that is dragging local development of the game.
Fiji soccer was once king of the South Pacific but is only a shadow of that now.
While many people put the blame on the lack of progress internationally on foreign coaches like the recently sacked Juan Carlos Buzzetti, others say marijuana is to blame.
With rugby and netball able to be competitive on the world stage, they questioned what the Fiji Football Association has done to fight a problem that has permeated the sport for over three decades.
In that time, smoking marijuana has become "acceptable" among top players.
Many do so in the stoned belief that it makes them better players.
Now the presidents of soccer's elite associations are united in their belief that every premier player should be randomly tested once a year.
Even more forthrightly, speaking off-the-record, one district official of a team playing this weekend admitted they supplied marijuana to premier players who wanted it.
He said it was to keep players happy because the team and its fans were reaping outstanding results. He said results counted not only in adding to the trophy cabinet and boasting rights but in finding sponsors for the team.
The official said it far better than having players going on drinking binges with officials and fans.
One district official this week admitted being a user himself.
But neither he and nor any other district president was willing to publicly speak about the grip marijuana has on the minds of soccer players across the country. Many of them privately said they were worried about the repercussions from the Fiji FA of speaking out.
Times Sport spoke to each of the presidents of the 10 premier districts involved in in this weekend's FACT. Their answers are listed in the order the teams stand on the NewWorld National League.
This is what they said.
Shalen Prasad, Lautoka
Does any player in the team use marijuana?
Prasad: I haven't seen it. But I've been told some of them are using it. They're not doing it in front of the executives.
Are you aware of the widespread use of marijuana in Fiji soccer?
Prasad: Yes, I understand most players do use it.
I don't think it helps in the long run. For those players using it, it is never too late for them to quit
How can we combat it?
Prasad: We have to counsel the players, sit with them and their family. They must be made to realise of their future and how to go about.
Does Lautoka have a stand on the issue?
Prasad: Yes and we talk about it, its dangers and consequences during team meetings on a regular basis.
Rishi Kumar, Ba
Does any player in your team use marijuana?
Kumar: No.
Are you aware of the widespread use of marijuana in Fiji soccer?
Kumar: Yes, most district players do use it.
How can we combat it?
Kumar: Drug testing is one option. Last year it was carried out but I'm not aware of the results. Some Ba players were tested but we were not given the results. It shows how far behind Fiji lags in soccer. It is a serious issue.
Does Ba have a stand on the issue?
Kumar: When the team is in camp, we have gospel teaching every morning and evening. Ba is not only about soccer. We are one big family and read the Bible together. It's a good way to bond. We always encourage players to be committed and be better persons. That's how things work in Ba.
Anil Sharma, Navua
Do players in your team use marijuana?
Sharma: No, I'm not aware of it.
Are you aware of the widespread use of marijuana in Fiji soccer?
Sharma: I've heard rumours before. There were drug tests done during the BOG last year. The results were not revealed to us so we don't know if any players did test positive. Not only in Fiji soccer but internationally as well, it is a major concern.
How can we combat it?
Sharma: I think best way is through random drug testing. It is in line with FIFA regulations. Strict action should be taken if players get caught taking it. At the moment there is a lot of laxity when it comes to random testing so players may be abusing it? Fiji FA should pick at least four-five players from every team for random testing.
Does Navua have a stand on the issue?
Personally I'm totally against drugs. I will surely try my best to help if any Navua player needs counselling about it. Marijuana is illegal, and just like alcohol, it is not allowed in the team camp. Fiji FA should have anti-drug awareness campaigns.
Mahendra Prasad, Suva
Does any player in your team use marijuana?
Prasad: Absolutely not
Are you aware of the widespread use of marijuana in Fiji soccer?
Prasad: People are saying it but I don't think players are doing it. When they're in camp they are supervised by managers and other team officials.
How can we combat it?
Prasad: We need random drug testing ... without that it will be unfair to accuse players.
Does Suva have a stand on the issue?
Prasad: We're completely against it. If anyone is found to be doing it and he will be immediately suspended.
Pravin Chand, Nasinu
Does any player in your team use marijuana?
Chand: No.
Are you aware of the widespread use of marijuana in Fiji soccer?
Chand: Well, I think some districts they do use it. Like Rewa last year, it was highlighted in the media but I haven't come across any player using it in the Nasinu team.
How can we combat it?
Chand: Last time there was this issue of random drug tests. I don't know whatever happened to the results. Fiji FA needs to play a proactive role and conduct tests on every player at least one a year.
Does Nasinu have a stand on the issue?
Chand: We have a strict policy on drugs. If players are caught, they will be banned from all levels of soccer. Players have been advised that there is no place in the team for drug cheats. If secretly they're taking it then we're not aware of it.
Dr Dhiren Lal, Nadroga
Does any player in the team use marijuana?
Lal: Not now. There was a suspect last year I think and he has been kicked out. One of last year's executives told me about it.
Do you know of widespread use of marijuana in Fiji soccer?
Lal: Yes. It was quite widespread in the Nadroga team once. 10 years back when I was manager of the team, I caught a few players.
How can we combat it?
Lal: Random drug testing should be done. The players and officials must look after them because it has damaging effects on the brain. Being from a medical background, I don't think Fiji FA can do it because it's expensive. One test is $600.
Does Nadroga have a stand on the issue?
Lal: It is not allowed in the team camp.
Pranil Chand, Rewa
Does any player in the team use marijuana?
Chand: No.
Do you know of widespread use of marijuana in Fiji soccer?
Chand: I've heard about players using but have not seen anyone.
How can we combat it?
Chand: I think it has more to do with education. But at the end of the day, it's the players choice on what they want to do with their life. As management all we can do is advise them. It's something for Fiji FA to deal with using a hard-line approach. Drug testing done last year was a good move and it should be brought back.
Does Rewa have a stand on the issue?
Chand: We are very strict about drugs. Coach Marika Rodu and the team management don't even allow cigarettes in camp.
Solo Nakulanisa, Tavua
Does any player in the team use marijuana?
Nakulanisa: No, I don't think so players in this squad use it. I haven't come across any but before we had some players.
Do you know of widespread use of marijuana in Fiji soccer?
Nakulanisa: Yes, it's common in every district. Even in the Fiji team some years back it was the same story.
How can we combat it?
Nakulanisa: We have to carry out random drug testing.
Does Tavua have a stand on the issue?
Nakulanisa: As officials, we don't encourage drugs.
Jitendra Kumar, Nadi
Does any player in the team use marijuana?
Kumar: Before but not now.
Do you know of widespread use of marijuana in Fiji soccer?
Kumar: No, I don't. Before we had players but they're not with us now.
How can we combat it?
Kumar: It's hard to fight the problem, no matter who says what.
Does Nadi have a stand on the issue?
Kumar: Yes, we don't the players to use drugs.
Abinesh Kumar, Labasa
Does any player in the team use marijuana?
Kumar: I'm not sure.
Do you know of widespread use of marijuana in Fiji soccer?
Kumar: Yes, last year just after one tournament, Patrick Wise was on television saying something about Rewa players. That's how I came to know about it. I don't know what marijuana is because I haven't taken it. I don't know how it looks like.
How can we combat it?
Kumar: There are many initiatives. There is always the need to educate players here. Random drug tests are common. Fiji FA came up with an initiative last year during the BOG where tests were carried out. But we don't know what happened to the results. There are many ways to make tournaments drug free.
Does Labasa have a stand on the issue?
Kumar: We're totally against it because of its effects. I think it is unfair to use drugs. It weakens the players' thinking ability as well.
