THE Labasa soccer side stepped up its preparation for the upcoming Vodafone Fiji FACT which starts at Lautoka's Churchill Park this weekend but the game proper starts next week Thursday at the Cakobau Park in Nausori.
The Babasiga Lions moved into camp on Monday and have begun their training sessions.
Team manager Anand Prakash said in order to lift the fitness level of the players, the team was training three times a day.
"We have three training sessions a day, the first at 5am and then at 11am and then in the afternoon," Prakash said.
"This is because we want to win our fourth FACT title," he said.
The northerners have won the title only three times in 1992, 1997 (joint winners with Ba) and 1999 but have been runners up seven times.
Prakash said they had named some young players but the majority of players in the team were experienced. "We will bring almost the same team we fielded against Suva in our National League match two weeks ago. Our experienced players, goalkeeper Akuila Mateisuva, Apisalome Turuva and Taione Kerevanua will lead our campaign."
He said only 18 players would travel to Viti Levu with the team management. "This is just a cost-cutting measure and there is no other serious reason for bringing 18 players.
"But the team is quite good and is made up of Labasa's very own players; we have not imported players from anywhere."
Prakash has called on the Labasa community in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu to support the side.
"Especially the ones in Suva and Nausori, we would like to ask them to please support the team in any way they can.
"It's the support of the people which motivate the players to perform even better than they can," he said
Labasa will play their first game on May 10 at 6.45pm against Tavua at Nausori's Ratu Cakobau Park. The first round of games for the Fiji FACT will be played this Sunday at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
Fixtures: 11am, Nadroga-Tavua; 12.30pm, Nadi-Suva; 2pm, Ba-Navua; 3.30pm, Lautoka-Rewa.