BA town goes into party mode today when the President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, launches the Ba Platinum Carnival.
The Vodafone-sponsored festivities mark 75 years of Ba soccer and the passion for the sport in this soccer crazy town can best be summed up by contestant, Anisha Ashlyn.
The Ba Motor Parts-sponsored lass said: "I love the people of Ba and our soccer team is just unbeatable, the best! Their skills and talents are something to be admired."
She said she joined the carnival, which runs for a week at the Ba Gujerati grounds, because she was a big fan. "That's the reason I decided to become a contestant, I wanted to publicly let them know they are simply awesome," the 23-year-old web designer said.
Carnival committee chairman Praveen Bala said pageant aside, the highlight of the festivities would have to be the presentation of platinum medals.
Mr Bala said he also wanted to make special mention of one of the legends of Ba soccer, Esala Masi Senior, who died last Tuesday.
"Esala's loss is a very personal tragedy and I know his legacy will live in on the exploits of Esala Masi junior and all those whose lives he has touched during his mammoth soccer career and term as deputy mayor of Ba," the former Ba mayor said.
His funeral service will be at 10am today at the Ba Town Methodist Church before the cortege leaves for the Naidrodro cemetery.