- Ben M. Jannif
Infobox Politician (general)
name= Ben Jannif
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title= Member of Legislative Council (Fiji)
Indian nominated member
term_start= 1950
term_end= 1953
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birth_date= date unknown
birth_place= Suva
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profession= Businessman
religion= Muslim
footnotes=Ben M. Jannif was one of the architects of Fiji Indian Football Association. He was involved in
Fiji Soccer for more than 60 years, mainly as an administrator and saw it evolve from a racially based game played by a few individuals to a truly national game. He was a successful businessman, was involved in community service and took part in national and local government politics.Early life
Jannif was born in
Suva and educated inLevuka . He joined theFiji Scouts Association at an early age and rose to the position of Assistant Colony Commissioner. He was the firstFiji Indian to hold the King's Scout Badge. He attended Jamborees inNew Zealand andAustralia and was awarded the [http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/2006/11_4.htm Silver Acorn] for his services to the Scouts movement.He was a member of the Indian Reform League and later became a member of its Board of Directors.
Contribution to football
Between 1928 and 1938 Janiff was involved as an administrator, coach and referee with Indian Reform League football team and was closely associated with the formation of the Suva, Rewa and Levuka district football teams. He was appointed secretary for the
8 October 1938 meeting to form theFiji Indian Football Association . Following the meeting Janiff took on the dual responsibilities of Treasurer (1938-39) and Secretary (1938-44). He played a pivotal role in drawing up the first constitution of the association that was adopted in 1939. He is remembered for charging gate fees for entry into soccer tournaments, starting with the 1947 Inter District Soccer Competition (IDC) at the CSR Rarawai grounds in Ba. He also chaired the organising committee of the 21st Anniversary celebration in August 1958. He was appointed a life member of theFiji Football Association for his services to football in Fiji and continued to be actively involved in soccer administration well into the 1970s. [cite web |url= http://www.fijilive.com/soccer/show/home/halloffame.shtml|title=Fiji Soccer Hall of Fame |accessdate=2007-09-26 |format= |work= ]Voluntary community service
Jannif was one of the first locally born members to join the
Rotary Club ofSuva and was its firstFiji Indian president. He was also the first Fiji Indian to become Vice President of theRoyal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Fiji. He was a member of the Council of theAutomobile Association of Fiji. He contributed to the establishment of the Indian High School in Suva and served as a member of the school committee. He joined the Fiji Military Forces and remained an active member of the Indian Platoon until it was disbanded in 1940. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Candidate Profile - B. M. Jannif|url= |work= |publisher=Fiji Times |date=25 October 1958 |accessdate=2007-09-26 ]Political involvement
Jannif was a nominated member of the Legislative Council form 1950 to 1953. In 1958 he contested the Suva City Council election for the position of Indian elected member but lost in a close contest.
His legacy
He was the sole proprietor of Caines Studios in Suva and the business is still operating, with brances throughout Fiji, as Caines Jannif Limited.
References
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