National Information
The Kingdom of Banija is a country that classifies itself as a semi-constitutional monarchy. A nation that is freshly a member of Atlantian Oceania, it is led by the Kabaka(which translates to King), and the current monarch is Kabaka Mwanga. The Kabaka, alongside with the Waziri(translates to Foreign Minister), whom he picks and dismisses solely at his pleasure, is the Head of State and responsible for the country's foreign affairs. Upon reaching age 25, the Isebantu(Crown Prince), becomes the Waziri by constitutional right.
Kabaka Mwanga ascended into power after the assasination of Kabaka Albert III during World Cup 82 Qualifying. This is, of course, a government with an elected element. The elected unicameral legislature is the Lukiiko(Parliament), and the Lukiiko is responsible for governance of domestic affairs. The Katikkiro(Prime Minister) is elected by the Lukiiko. Currently, the Social Democrats, Banija's most left-wing major party, has won the most recent elections, a strange notion for this traditionally conservative nation. Their biggest accomplishment to date is eliminating gender segregation laws in the country when it comes to collegiate and professional sports. The established church is the Puritan Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, most commonly known as Puritan Mormonism. Well over 90% of Banijans identify as adherents to the state church, though freedom of religion is generally respected by the law. There is very little patience, however, for athiesm among the general populace.
Due to the massive influence of Puritan Mormonism in this nation, they are relatively socially conservative. Abortion in this country is outlawed unless the mother's life is in danger, and polygamy for males is legal. The church's Universal Call to Motherhood, which teaches that the destiny of each and every woman is to give birth to children and raise faithful Puritan Mormons, has heavily shaped the nation's view on the role of women in society, forming the basis for Banija's prior sports gender segregation laws in teh first place. Consumption of alcohol and the recreational use of marijuana in Banija is legal. Due to Mormon tradition, however, the purchase/sale of coffee products is illegal within Banija- however, the consumption is not. Fans and teams are allowed to bring in their own coffee products as long as they are declared at customs, where it is then taxed per pound.
Banija's currency is the shilling. The exchange rate to the NationStates Dollar is 1,000 shillings to 1 NSD. Conversion kiosks will be available at all hotels and at airports to exchange your money, as well as any banks. However, using the NSDs directly to purchase items is only guaranteed at stadiums and hotels- vendors outside of stadiums or hotels are not required to accept NationStates Dollars. Fans are also advised that street vendors will only take cash, according to Banijan law- as an issue of security to prevent against credit card theft.
Of course, Banija is a developing country by modern economic standards. However, due to a recent discovery of large oil deposits in Hangaza, there is hope that the country can use the new oil money to vault forward into first world nation status. A general lack of development in Banija, we are a country with excellent sporting infrastructure, but little else. Most roads are dirt, and public transit within cities is via the
boda boda, though each team will have two 45 passenger busses to transport players, coaches, staff, family, etc... To and from the hotel to the games and practices. The climate of Banija has a lot of natural rainforest and jungle, which means that there is no winter, only wet season and dry season. Temperatures generally range at their coldest around 60 degrees farenheit, and at their hottest around 110 degrees farenheit. For the duration of the tournament, average high temperatures will range from 60 to 85 degrees farenheit.
Banijans have a
tendency of being relaxed about time. While, of course, things like flights and matches will run on time, this is something that is observed generally, especially at restaurants. It is considered standard to arrive about 15-20 minutes late for a restaurant reservation, which is something Banijan authorities would like to make note of for travelling fans and visitors to the country for this tournament.
The three major international airports within Banija are Istria International, Jinja City International, and Busukuma International. These serve the country's two largest cities, and the nation's capitol. Jinja City's airport status was recently converted to international status after the discovery of oil within the Hangaza region. All the cities hosting games have their own airport, but teams/fans will have to fly in via the two international airports, and then take a connecting flight to their eventual destinations.
LocationsIstria, MoravicaBanija's largest port and largest city by population, this is in the Moravica region, in Northwestern Banija. It is a city of 3 million people, and it is known as Banija's economic capitol. It is largely considered Banija's most diverse city. Historically, this city served as the second capitol city of the Kasanke Tribe, the historical predecessors of the modern Banijan nation. It is one of two Banijan cities with a major foreign population- the other being the nation's capitol, Busukuma. There is even a Kalactanian Hockey League team hosted in the city. Nearly a third of the city holds citizenship of a country other than Banijan. More of those come from the Royal Kingdom of Quebec or the Busoga Islands, but people come from all over Atlantian Oceania and the rest of the multiverse. It is also known as Banija's wealthiest city and primary economic hub. It is home to Banija's oldest university, the University of Loyola-Istria, and to the country's biggest airport.
StadiumThe stadium in Istria is Kabonero III Field, with a capacity of 48,000. The stadium is named after Kabonero III, the monarch who united the country's modern day territory under his rule, and the first to rule the country with the name Banija. There was controversy when Banija hosted the Baptism of Fire as this stadium was not selected to host matches in that, due to a failure between the RBSA and Istria City FC, the stadium's operators, to reach an agreement on revenue splitting. However, one was reached for this tournament, and Kabonero III Stadium will host games at World Cup 80. The stadium is located on the city's oceanfront, and is considered to be on the city's best real estate.
Matches Held HereBoth games for Group F Matchday 1
Group E Matchday 3: Iskandervale v. Saint Emelie
One Quarterfinal
Herzegovina City, MoravicaBanija's oldest city, the city by its current name is over 800 years old, when it was first conquered by the Kasanke people. It is a city with a population of 1 million people. It is the heart of the Puritan Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The national religion was started in this city, and the church's world headquarters, the Herzegovina Temple, is the multiverse's largest Puritan Mormon church. The Bishop of this church, formally titled the Patriarch of Herzegovina, is the most senior member of the church, and the joint head of the global church, alongside His Majesty, the Kabaka. It is home to Banija's largest university, Northern Moravica University. It served as the seat of government for the Kasanke Tribe. It is also the capitol city of the Moravica region. As the original home of the predecessors of the Banijan monarchs, all reigning monarchs are buried on the grounds of the Herzegovina Temple.
To get to Herzegovina City directly from abroad, you will fly into Banija via Istria, and then take a 50 minute high speed train ride North to Herzegovina City.
Stadium- Star FieldThe stadium in Herzegovina City is Star Field, and it has undergone an expansion to 70,000, much larger than it was when it hosted World Cup games. This stadium was, of course, a shoe-in to host games- when you consider capacity, ease of transportation, and size of the city, it was a no brainer. The stadium is home to Herzegovina City FC, Banija's most successful side since the establishment of the BSL, with 5 league titles in the past 7 seasons.
The expansion is paid for, of course, thanks to the stunning success that Herzegovina City has had in recent seasons in the Banijan Soccer League.
Matches Held HereBoth games for Group F Matchday 2
Group E Matchday 3: Banija v. Oontz Dert Li Ng
One Quarterfinal
Busukuma, National Capitol RegionThis is the nation's capitol, located on the country's Southern coastline. Puritan Mormons believe that their God told the-then chief of the Kasanke, Kabonero III, that he should conquer all of the land that is currently Banija, gave the country it's name(therefore killing the name of the Kasanke nation), and put the capitol in the South. He did it, made Busukuma the capitol, and declared himself Banija's first Maharaja, or Emperor. As the nation's capitol for over 400 years, the city has been the spot for many major events in Banijan history, and the seat of plenty of foreign embassies, a large foreign population, and Banija's first airport.
The city, of course, is known for having two airports- the public, international airport, called Busukuma International, and also the non-public airport, named Gonzaga International Airport- reserved for the royal family and their guests, elected national politicians, foreign diplomats, and the point of entry for high-ranking officials to avoid the general public. Heads of State/Government, Foreign Ministers, AOCAF officials, host committee members, and national teams, upon their first arrival into Banija, will fly into Gonzaga International.
Stadium of the RestorationThe national stadium, the Stadium of the Restoration, sits 91,835. It is the country's largest soccer stadium, and, of course, it is the national stadium. On the stadium's site, in 1835, the Banijan monarchy was restored at this site in Banija's first declaration of independence from the Royal Kingdom of Quebec. When the RBSA was formed, it was the obvious site to build the national stadium. The original facility sat 69,000, and was then, as it is now, Banija's largest soccer stadium. It was home to the Banijan national soccer and gridiron teams, and hosted plenty of international tournaments, including the Finals of a UICA Globe Cup, World Bowl and a Baptism of Fire. However, the ageing facility needed to be rebuilt so that one could fit the WCC's 80,000 seater minimum requirement to host a World Cup opening match, as required when the country co-hosted World Cup 81.
The
bid from AEP, an architectural firm from Siovanija & Teusland, won the bid to build a new Stadium of the Restoration on the same site in time for World Cup 81. The brand new stadium's capacity, according to the bid, is a nod to Banija's history, of the year that made the site famous in 1835. It has a retractable natural grass surface, used for soccer, and a retractable articifial turf surface, used for gridiron football and during ceremonies like coronations. There are no gaps between the stands, while the South Stand is a single tier, designed to amplify crowd noise. The stadium contains 35 suites, 1 of which is always reserved for RBSA executives, and the second always received for His Majesty, the Kabaka.
Since the rebuild, of course, it hosted both the opening match and one of the semifinals of World Cup 81, as well as the coronation ceremony of Kabaka Mwanga.
Matches Held HereBoth games for Group E Matchday 1
Group H Matchday 3: Starblaydia v. Cosumar
AOCAF LVIII Final
Jinja City, HangazaThis city of 2 million people is Banija's largest inland city, and the second largest city in the entire country, in terms of population. This city is the economic center of the Hangaza region, even if its political capitol lies towards the East, in Aissa. Being an inland city, of course, it is not know for its diversity- nearly the entire city are native Banijans, even if many are from rural Hangaza. Historically, the city is known for being the spiritual home of one of Banija's minority ethnic groups- the Akamba. It is also sight of the first battle of the Kasanke conquest, when they moved from the Moravican coast to take over the entirety of what is now Banija.
Stadium- BCEL StadiumThis stadium has a capacity of 52,400. Sponsored by the soft drink company BCEL from Baker Park, it is the only corporate sponsored stadium being used on the Banijan side in World Cup 80. It was built to attract matches for the previous Baptism of Fire, and is considered one of Banija's premier stadiums. It is home to Banijan club Jinja City FC, one of Banija's Super 5 clubs. T
Matches Held HereBoth games for Group H Matchday 1
Group F Matchday 3: Siovanija & Teusland vs. Euran Oceania Territories
One Round of 16 match
Busembe, KitaraThe first four cities on this list were shoes-ins. Absolute guarantees. You couldn't ever hold a tournament in Banija and ignore those four cities. As for the last cities, there was a lot of debate. One of the four winners of this debate, of course, and one of them was Busembe. Busembe is the capitol of the Kitara Region, with nearly 300,000 people within the city limits. It is, of course, on the country's west coast- but not a port city, like Istria, Herzegovina City, or Busukuma. The city, in fact, isn't what's memorable. The reason it was chosen, of course, was because of the stadium. The Kitara Region is known as Banija's hottest region, however, and so that means expect both the temperatures and the humidity to climb very high in games that are played at The Wolf's Den.
Stadium- The Wolf's DenThe stadium's name pays homage to the stadium's operators, the Busembe Timberwolves of the Banijan Soccer League. It has a capacity of 44,000, so it is one of the smaller stadiums awarded AOCAF matches- however, it is also seen as one of Banija's highest quality stadiums. It is one of Banija's most intimate stadiums, with the fans being extremely close to the field. The intimacy, as well as ease of access from Busukuma International Airport(just a 45 minute train ride to the Northwest) are some of the major reason why this stadium was chosen.
Matches Held HereBoth games for Group G Matchday 2
Group F Matchday 3: Valanora v. Sticiano
One Round of 16 match
Aissa, HangazaAs mentioned above, there was a lot of debate over the last four stadiums that would be picked. Which ones would they be? With legitimately competitive bids from 7 different stadiums to be in that final group of four, of course, there were bound to be disappointed cities and regions. The Hangaza region, of course, is not one of them. The region, dominated economically by its economic core in Jinja City, will provide a second host city, in its regional capitol, Aissa. A city of 477,000, it is nothing remarkable on its own. This is a notoriously difficult city to access, just a few miles from the country's eastern border with Geisenfred. It is a one hour bus ride from Jinja City.
Stadium- Hangaza Unified StadiumThe Hangaza Unified Stadium is a behemoth of a stadium, with a seating capacity of 55,000. It is, of course, the home of Aissa United FC, who aren't exactly one of Banija's most prominent clubs. Still, the stadium is the second largest in the Banijan Soccer League. The stadium was chosen for its stadium capacity, and nothing else- it is a great stadium, but its location, all the way out in little Aissa, made it seem as if the stadium was unlikely to get chosen. The city had a rabid soccer fanbase, however, and if hooliganism is to hit anywhere, it is to hit in Aissa, a city where the drinks certainly flow freely.
Matches Held HereBoth games for Group H Matchday 2
Group G Matchday 3: Freeport Isles v. Tropicorp
One Round of 16 match
Dodoma, BunyoroThe Bunyoro Region got a rude awakening with Bwubanza City Soccer Club's recent relegation, in stunning fashion, from the Banijan Soccer League. Previously seen as a lock to host World Cup matches, that relegation threw it all into doubt. Would Bwubanza City's revenues fall enough to prevent them from making the necessary upgrades to host World Cup football? There was, of course, the other city in the region to consider- Dodoma, a city with almost 800,000. Locals joke that while in the rest of Banija, there is dry season and wet season, in Bunyoro, there is wet and wetter season- it has some of the highest rates of rainfall in all of Atlantian Oceania.
But where to put the matches? The existing stadium in the city isn't big enough, with a capacity of 33,000. Then, of course...
Stadium- Albert III StadiumThis was built for World Cup 81 under a different name, and is currently used by Bunyoro RSC. However, after the assassination of the Kabaka's father, Albert III, it was renamed after him. It will debut in this tournament, and, of course, be the future home of Bunyoro Regional Sporting Club. With a stadium capacity of 48,600, and with revolutionary field drainage technology, thoughtful considering the amount of rain that this region gets, this will be some of Banijan engineering technology on full display. Due to the unique structure of the roof, the sound is made to go down onto the ground, and many expect this will be the tournament's loudest venue due to that stadium design.
Matches Held HereBoth games for Group G Matchday 1
Group H Matchday 3: Aji No Moto v. Anthor
One Round of 16 match
Hoima, AnkoleNow, while Hoima wasn't a shoe-in per say, it was never really going to be left off of the host list, was it? One of five cities in Banija with at least a million people, it had to be chosen. It is not a multicultural city, as is true of most of Banija's inland cities, but it is more diverse than Jinja City. Banija Air is headquartered in this city, as the city's economy relies on commercial airliner manufacturing. The weather in this city is known as some of the best in Banija- almost always temperate, and not much humidity. Of course, there is alittude, as the city is located three quarters of a mile above see level.
Stadium- Mavuto FieldThis is a brand new stadium, built on the same site as PG Arena, home of the Hoima Warriors of the BSL. With a combined investment from the Ankole Regional Government, the Hoima Warriors, and the City of Hoima, this is a behemoth of a stadium- seating a stunning 75,000, becoming the largest stadium in the BSL. Built to ensure that Hoima would get AOCAF games and games in future tournaments, it is home to a burgeoning fanbase of soccer fans. It is named after Gerald Mavuto, the city's first ever mayor.
Matches Held HereBoth games for Group E Matchday 2
Group G Matchday 3: Mriin v. Lochario
One Semifinal