FORMER national team striker Abinesh Salesh Sami has come out of retirement to help his home district Lautoka in the Courts Inter District Championship at Govind Park in Ba.
Known on the paddock as 'Bula', Sami will be used by the Shop n Save-sponsored side as an impact player in the tournament.
At 34, he is Lautoka's oldest player and has maintained his fitness and will aim to weave his magic that he is known for in 60 minutes soccer.
Lautoka Football Association president Shalendra Prasad said Sami, despite being one of the oldest players in the tournament, would be a player to look out for.
"He (Sami) is a classic finisher and will be one of the players to look out for as he can be a threat to the defensive line," he said.
"He will be used as an impact player off the bench because he does make an impact in the match when needed."
Lautoka is pooled with Nadroga, Navua, Tavua and defending IDC champions Labasa.
Another player that Prasad expects to shine in the tournament is national under-23 team rep Zibraaz Sahib.
The former Natabua High School student is one of the best midfielders in the country and the Blues will be relying on him to shift the game in their favour.
"He (Sahib) is one of the top midfielders in the country and was named the player of the tournament in the recently-concluded FANCA Muslim Soccer tournament and at such a young age, he has become a good player."
Lautoka last won the Lloyd Farebrother Trophy in 2008 when they beat Ba on their home turf 1-0.
Despite recent turmoils within the association, they look forward to similar outcome this weekend.
"We had some ups and downs and sorted out differences to put together a good team for the tournament.
"I thank the current executives for creating space for former officials that helped Lautoka win in 2008 to come and volunteer their services to help Lautoka Football for the IDC."
Prasad has requested fans of Lautoka soccer to throw their weight behind the team as they attempt to win their 17th IDC title.
"We have reminded the players to work as a unit and try and win back the IDC and we would like to request the public to wholeheartedly get behind the team and support us in the tournament," he said.
The IDC kicks off today at Ba's Govind Park and Lautoka play their first game against Nadroga at 4.45pm.