Rajesh Patel

Fiji Football President Rajesh Patel re-elected

Oceania Football President David Chung says Patel has taken Fiji football to new heights during his first term and he now has the opportunity to build on that success.

During Patel's four-year term Fiji qualfied for the 2015 Under 20 World Cup in New Zealand, where they created history by beating Honduras.

The Fiji Under 23 team also won the Oceania Olympic qualifying tournament in July and will represent the region in Rio next year.

Patel claimed 37 votes, well clear of his only challenger, former Lautoka president Shalendra Prasad, who picked up 16.

Oceania Football no longer a minnow

Oceania will now receive two berths at men's age grade tournaments from 2017.

The region created history at this year's Men's Under 20 World Cup with hosts New Zealand reaching the quarter finals and Fiji upsetting Honduras in the group stage.

Rajesh Patel says Oceania officials have been trying to secure an extra berth for a long time and he says Fiji's impressive World Cup showing proved the region is no longer a minnow.