The Pacific island of Nauru announced at the turn of the year that they have relaunched their football federation in a bid to become the newest member of the international football community.
Already in talks with neighbouring American Samoa regarding a historical friendly in which Nauru will play their first-ever international fixture. This follows the launch of both the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia within the last 18 months, all of whom will be hoping to achieve FIFA status in the coming years.
Now, a Federation, a kit and a ground is all well and good but you can’t have a team without a manager and I know what you’re thinking, how can the third smallest county in the world, by population, attract a name that can bring exposure, experience and knowledge of the beautiful game at the highest of levels?
Step forward Dave Kitson. The Berkshire-based ex-Premier League forward has accepted the challenge of creating a squad of players from the approximate 3,183 15-64-year-old native males to take on American Samoa in their first international fixture.
The project long-term for Kitson and his new home looks bright with a new regional federation to be set up to include small neighbouring islands including Kiribati, Micronesia, Palau, Tuvalu & The Marshall Islands. Can the ex-Reading marksman bring a new found glory through football to one of the smallest populations on earth?
Talking of the Federated States of Micronesia – did you ever catch Paul Watson on the Berkshire Football Stories podcast?
Related: Why Reading FC legend Dave Kitson is coming out of retirement for Caversham United
