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Football unity

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SIFF President William Lai giving his remarks during the opening of the 2020 Solomon Cup Challenge yesterday. Matches for the Solomon Cup will kick off tomorrow at the Lawson Tama Stadium. Pictures Peter Zoleveke II

Solomon Cup 2020 officially Open

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

IT was a fitting colorful array to welcome the ten teams who will be representing the provinces for the next two weeks of football actions in the National Solomon Cup 2020 – with the theme ‘IUMI TUGEDA THRU FOOTBALL.”

The opening ceremony yesterday gathered over hundreds from the general public, provincial representatives, players and prominent guests at the national level to witness the country’s major football event.

Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) President William Lai in his remarks saluted the Solomon Cup Organizing Committee and SIFF stakeholders in bringing together the different races embraced under the banner of football.

“On behalf of the country’s football governing body I stand here to see what the game played to gather us all here today (yesterday),” Lai expresses.

“This year’s challenge is open for everyone, not only the best can win but everyone can win!

President Lai also assured that this year’s competition will be the final competition to be played on the current turf before it transitions giving way to a world standard complex for the 2023 Pacific Games.

Representing the national government, Ministry of Home Affairs Permanent Secretary, Mr. Jeffery Sade Deve said that the formal open of the competition signifies one of the main events the government and its stakeholders who are working tirelessly to prepare the country for the Pacific Games here.

“We are ensuring that the preparation for the regional competition is still on target. And I am pretty sure that some of you will be selected to be part of the National football team who will represent our country in the year 2023,” says Mr. Deve.

He continued emphasized on unity and equality through the sport.

“Athletes, when you step out on that field everyone are equal. Talent and skills, it means nothing. They may be more talented than you, but if you show more HEART if you show FOCUS,” he stressed.

“So, go there do your best, all you have is 90 minutes and I know everyone wants to win, but one thing is for sure. When you’re walking down from the changing room, and you step on the field – you know in your heart only there will only be a winner. And the best team wins.

Yesterday only eight teams were part of the opening ovation, Temotu Arrows are yet traveling to the capital via ship due to the distance and Makira Ulawa were engaged in a friendly match against a Telekom S League side.

Meanwhile, matches will kick off on Saturday 28.

Western Tomoko vs Guadalcanal Hornets – 1PM

Malaita Eagle vs Lauru Kukuvojo – 4PM

Reigning Champions Malaita Eagles team with their cultural dancers pose for a photo after the opening ceremony yesterday at the Lawson Tama stadium. Photo Peter Zoleveke II

‘Prison, no place to be’

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Samie Waikori
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Inmate Mr Ben Tofola

Inmate shares powerful reminder to nation

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

PRISON is not a good place to spend one’s life, a serving inmate reminds citizens.

Ben Tofola was brought out of the Auki Correctional Centre, where he is serving life, to share his experience during the 16 Days Activism programme on Wednesday in Auki.

“Prison is not a place to be,” he said.

Mr Tofola was jailed in 1990 for murder and to date has served 30 years, and still does not know when he will be released.

In his speech during the programme he said as an inmate who spent almost his entire life in prison, it’s a harsh place no one should spend their life in.

 “During my 30 years behind bars I stayed at Rove, Tetere, Kirakira and now Auki correctional centre,” Tofola said.

“There were men who committed crime against women and children like murder, rape and others who joined me in prison,” he added

“It was very stressful and hard to accept that there were men who think they are men during their time outside, come into the prison and cried like kids.

“Some men even they’re not sick they asked medication everyday like they’re sick. Stress and worry are the main diseases in prison.”

Tofola said in prison his freedom and rights are limited because he is blocked by the four walls of his cell day and night.

“It takes only a few seconds to commit a crime, but spend years paying for it behind bars in a lonely cell.

“It is just not worth it,” he adds.

He said a lot of men are in prison for committing crimes under the Family Protection Act (FPA), and the law is still there to punish perpetrators.

Tofola appeals to men to refrain from any form of violence against women and children and respect them for they are an equal gender within the society.

Solomon Cup opening today

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Taromane Martin
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Lawson Tama

By Taromane Martin

THE opening ceremony for the 2020 Solomon Cup Challenge will take place today at the Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara.

The opening ceremony will kick off at 5pm today and will finish at 8pm, the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) confirmed.

SIFF in a statement said this will be the first time the country’s biggest football competition to stage an opening ceremony which is open to the public and fans.

The federation said the 10 participating Provincial Football Association (PFA) teams will be present and it is mandatory for all the teams to attend as they will be in their official dress codes and led by traditional dancers into the pitch.

A theme song for the tournament will also be performed during the ceremony and will be performed live by Alex Waimora, Junior Houkarawa and Micah Lea’alafa.

“The opening will be live stream on this page for fans in the provinces and abroad,” SIFF stated.

The teams representing 10 Provincial Football Associations (PFAs) across the country were divided into two groups of five teams each for the group stage of the 2020 Solomon Cup.

Group A: Malaita Eagles, Western Tomoko, Temotu Arrows, Lauru Kuvojo, Guadalcanal Hornets

Group B: Central Shield, Makira Ulawa Kakamora, Honiara Warriors, Renbel Chiefs, Isabel Frigates

Matches for the 2020 Solomon Cup will kick off this Saturday with two matches and will continue on Sunday at the Lawson Tama.

Matches for Saturday will see Temotu Arrows taking on Lauru Kuvojo at 2pm followed by Western Tomoko taking on defending champions Malaita Eagles at 4pm.

Sunday’s actions will see Renbel Chiefs taking on Makira Ulawa Kakamora at 2pm while Honiara Warriors squares off with Isabel Frigates at 4pm.

Pool matches will continue on throughout next week and will complete on Monday December 7. Knockout stages for the tournament will kick off Wednesday December 9 with the semifinals before the grand final match schedule for Saturday December 12.

Schedule for the 2020 Solomon Cup Challenge meanwhile are as follows

High risk repa-flights scheduled for January 2021

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Mavis Podokolo
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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

BY MAVIS Nishimura PODOKOLO

ALL repatriation flights for high-risk countries have been planned for January 2021, says Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Secretary to Prime Minister.

Rodgers uttered this during a recent covid-19 radio talkback show.

“We are planning to repatriate students that in the high-risk countries in January 2021to bring them home in December is difficult.

“The planning for December scheduling is for Fiji and PNG and Manila.

“But in January we will be definitely looking at planning the flights and is already progressing we will not wait for January to plan,” he said,

Rodgers said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) is already looking at possible links to bring them home.

“Those are not the only flights but we are looking at planning some more,” he said.

Rodgers said, “currently the emphasis is on low risk countries. This is to bring those in low risk countries and also those in high risk countries but who we have been quarantined is to be reasonably low risk by the time when they come over, for instance those in Philippines.”

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in his national address said the Oversight Committee is scheduling other repatriation flights with a focus on low risk countries over the December and January 2021 period.

PM announces DCGA’s objectives to sustain, grow broad-based economy

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Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has announced the Government’s five objectives under its policy redirection to sustain and grow an inclusive broad-based economy.

According to the Prime Minister, this will be achieved through efficient management, utilisation and protection of the country’s natural resources.

These are;

  1. Update legislative framework that governs the utilisation of resources for maximum economic benefit. As such, the Government is committed to bring the new Forestry Bill and Mines and Minerals Bill to Parliament.
  2. To increase value added products from the natural resources and sustainably manage the ecosystem to optimise their economic as well as ecological functions;
  3. To put in place and operationalise an efficient legal framework of services delivery to rural resources owners, promoting secure investment for socio-economic development and poverty reduction;
  4. To ensure that development in Solomon Islands is undertaken in a manner that inflicts minimal damage to the environment and building resilience to threats posed by global pandemic, climate change and natural disasters.
  5. To improve tax regime that contributes optimally and sustainably to the national income and to the social economic welfare of the community through efficient legal framework.

The Prime Minister stated, “Solomon Islands has enough natural resources in our ocean, land and sky. DCGA recognises that economic sustenance and the efficacy of government services delivery remain adamant to the immediate, medium and long-term survival of our economy.

“The sustainable utilisation and management of our resources in strategic production by investing into key economic infrastructure, such as efficient transport by road and sea, EEZ, manufacturing and processing industries, are significant to the outcome we expect.”

DCGA government aims to ensure that natural resources and environment are utilized and managed productively in support of equitable and sustained national development with maximum economic benefits.

DCGA is fully committed to the fulfillment of its policy priorities in the interest of national stability and economic empowerment.

–OPMC PRESS

SolAir to run December repa-flights

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SOLOMON Airlines has advised that subject to regulatory approval, the airline will operate a further repatriation flight in early December to bring more stranded Solomon Islands citizens home via New Zealand.

The repatriation flight will operate as follows:

December 6 – Flight IE630 Brisbane-Auckland-Honiara will depart Brisbane at 9.15am arriving in Auckland at 3.25pm. All passengers will remain onboard the aircraft as new passengers join for the Auckland to Honiara flight sector. Flight IE630 will then redepart from Auckland at 4.25pm arriving in Honiara at 7pm.

As a Solomon Islands Government managed repatriation charter flight, passengers seeking to travel on the service should contact their nearest Solomon Islands Government embassy or mission for details.

All incoming passengers will be required to have taken two covid-19 tests in the 14 days before the flight. They will only be allowed to board the aircraft if all test results are negative.

On arrival in the Solomon Islands, all travellers will undergo a mandatory, minimum 14-day quarantine period and further, multiple covid-19 tests depending on protocols related to their origin country. All covid-19 test results must be negative before individuals can be released from quarantine.

All Solomon Airlines flights comply fully with the covid-19 regulations of the relevant countries. Solomon Airlines crew on board the airline’s A320 aircraft wear facemasks and gloves for the duration of service and catering is minimal to reduce contact between passengers and crew.

–SOLAIR PRESS

From bare foot to Rio 16

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Group photo of some of the local athletes and leaders who were inducted into the Hall of Fame yesterday. Picture Peter Zoleveke II

Olympians recognised

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

IT was in 1983 the governing International Olympic Committee (IOC) formally recognized Solomon Islands into the Olympic movement following its establishment – prior to that, local athletes competed bare footed and travelled on ships to regional competitions.

Thirty three years later, after the Rio 2016 Olympics, 20 local Olympians were finally recognized by NOCSI for their sporting feat as the country’s ambassadors. Also recognized were leaders during these nine Olympiads who were all inducted into NOCSI’s sporting Hall of Fame yesterday.

IOC initially supported then Solomon Islands National Olympic Committee (SINOC). In 1984 four athletes for the first time ever represented the country at the Los Angeles Olympics.

Four years earlier, SINOC founding father, Christian Suaga recalled the challenges in leading the country’s then contingent to the first South Pacific Mini Games and then to the International multi – sporting event when the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland opened its doors for the nation to be inaugurated.

“I remember in 1979 the first time leading a team we travelled by ship to Fiji and competed barefooted in soccer at the first Pacific Mini Games we attended. Upon our return that’s when we begin to connect, sending request to IOC. In 1983 the formation of SINOC came to fruition after our request was granted,” the softly spoken Mr. Suaga recalled.

Long – Distance runner Primo Higa received his award from NOCSI President Martin Rara

Thirty three years later after the Los Angeles, the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) through it Solomon Islands Athletes Commission (SIAC) recognized and inducted these Olympians into the sporting Hall of Fame in a brief unveiling ceremony.

“IOC has to take some time to consider the request of Solomon Islands and eventually it did approve under the captaincy of Mr. Suaga,” says NOCSI President Martin Rara.

“The country continues to enjoy the privilege offered by the mother body to this day. Today we recognize you athletes and leaders that had represented our country in these various Olympic Games hosted in different locations of the world.

“Each of you has a history and story to tell about your short stint at the world fiercest battle of sports rivalry ever experience in the past during your time. Your legacy will inspire our aspiring young talents to strive and raise the country’s flag at an Olympic podium,” Mr. Rara expresses.

“As the current President I continue to acknowledge you for the performances and sacrifices you all have done in ensuring the five stars continue to fly in various stadiums of the Olympic Games around the world.

Mr. Rara also saluted former Presidents and Secretaries of NOCSI and past executives who had served within SINOC and now NOCSI.

“I thank you all for your great effort in keeping the country afloat until now despite many tough challenges to lead,” he said.

Sports and National federations that had represented the Solomon Islands at the Olympic Games from 1984 to 2016 are; Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Judo and Weightlifting.

The Hall of Fame recognizes,

Presidents;

1 Christian SUAGA

2 Brown SAUA

3 David CAMPBELL

4 Charles DAUSABEA

5 Fred MAETOLOA

6 Martin Ba’ai RARA

Secretary Generals

1. John BAKEUA

2. Joseph PITU

3. Fox QWAINA

4. Martin ALUFURAI

5. Cecil ONO

6. Melinda AVOSA

Olympians;

1. Charlie OLIVER

2. Johnson KERE

3. Leslie ATA

4. Tommy BAURO

5. Benjamin FAFALE

6. John MAEKE

7. Derrick TENAI

8. Nester GENIWALA

9. Selwyn KOLE

10. Tonny ANALAU

11. Primo HIGA

12. Jeny KENI

13. Francis MANIORU

14. Wendy Hale BOSA

15. Pauline KWALEA

16. Chris Meke WALASI

17. Tony LOMO

18. Jenly Tegu WINI

19. Sharon Kikini FIRISUA

20. Rosifelo SIOSI

‘Not good enough’

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Member of Parliament for Aoke Langalanga and Opposition Leader Matthew Wale. Photo Credit; Pacificwin NZ Aus Pacific on LinkedIn.

Extending SoPE is not the only answer: Wale

LEADER of Opposition Matthew Wale says the government has to accept that covid-19 is going to be here for a while, and the country needs to adjust to it and return to normalcy, instead of relying on States of Public Emergency (SOPE) to deal with the effects brought about by the global pandemic.

Earlier, officials in a talkback show, warned that the government may have to release persons in quarantine if there was no extension of SoPE, an excuse which Mr Wale referred to as lame, and an action that would have been seen irresponsible on the government’s part, if they did so.

Wale points out that using limitations in current laws for the quarantining of persons suspected of carrying the Covid-19 virus is no longer a justifiable ground for the ongoing extension of the State of Public Emergency (SoPE).

“Indeed, Covid-19 poses a serious threat to the public at large, but there is therefore justification in Parliament making amendments or enacting a specific legislation for pandemics such as Covid-19.   

“We already have an Environment Health Act and a Quarantine Act in place.  Minor amendments to these laws can easily address the concerns raised by Dr Rodgers and so it does not make sense as to why government would want to continue relying on the state of emergency,” says the Opposition Leader.

Wale goes on to add, “The government also had eight months since the first declaration of the SoPE.  This is ample time for necessary steps to have been taken to come up with a spate law, or amend existing laws to address any shortfalls.  Instead, what we saw is, the government sat on this duty to the extent it once again, caught up with them.  This is simply not good enough”.

He says the fact Solomon Islands now have positive cases is regrettable and must not be taken lightly.

However, the Opposition Leader believes that stream lining all efforts is key to dealing with the current situation, especially in light of the scarce resource the country now has. 

He stresses that continuing the state of emergency only clouds any serious efforts to focus activities on covid-19, and rebuilding the economy.

“It is unfortunate that the government has resorted to the need for an extension of the emergency period. The government had so much time to set serious attention on completing the Health Emergency Bill, instead of focussing on what’s not important in this current situation,” the Opposition Leader adds.

–OPMC PRESS

Sports ‘Hall of Fame’ launch today

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Solomon Islands National Olympic Committee first President Chris Suaga left hands docs to chair and two time Olympica Francis Manioru..Picture ISN File

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

THE Solomon Islands Athletes Commission (SIAC) legacy project has finally reached its final phase for the unveiling of its induction of local Olympians into its ‘Hall of Fame’ today at the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) Conference room started at 10AM.

 According to the latest updated list, a total of 20 sportsmen and women who represented the country at an Olympic Games event since 1984 including past NOCSI Presidents.

SIAC Chairman confirmed that all the former athletes including then Solomon Islands National Olympic Committee (SINOC) now NOCSI, founding father, Christian Suaga currently in the capital will also attend this historic event.

SunSPORTS understands that during the launching Olympians and leaders were recognized with awards for their achievement for the development of sports in the Solomon Islands.

These finally came following all required collection of data of athletes have now completed.

“The project involves data collection, printing and framing of the photos and important details or stories about our local Olympians and then the final stage is the launching of the project,” Legacy team leader and two-time Olympian Francis Manioru revealed in a statement.

“The legacy project aims to display the images of these athletes, we are not only recognizing them, we also honor their achievements and contribution to sports,” Manioru adds.

By doing this he says it will capture the attention of aspiring young athletes and hopefully will motivate and inspire them to excel to achieve greater success in their respective sports.

He however admitted that apart from the COVID-19 pandemic there are also some issues holding back the project progress leading up.

 “The first hold up here is that people were slow or even do not respond to our calls or emails for them to come in our office so we get their information’s.

“Not only that, but also because some of these sports men, women and leaders have already passed on from this life. So their family members might still be searching for their pictures.

“The second one is the remoteness of islands because most of these people have already returned to their provinces and so we have to travel to them to get their details and pictures,” Manioru told SunSPORTS.

Sports and National federations that represent the Solomon Islands at the Olympic Games from 1984 to 2016 are; Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Judo and Weightlifting.

Meanwhile, apart from our local Olympians and NOC Presidents, the Legacy Project soon will also focus on team sports that have also taken their game to the next level, one of which is the national Kurukuru Futsal Team.

Athlete                              Sports          Event                         Olympic Games                 Province   

Charlie Oliver                 Athletics      800m                     1984                             Western province

Johnson Kere                 Athletics      100m                    1984                           Makira/Ulawa province

Leslie Ata                        Weightlifting     75kg              1984/1992                 Malaita province

Tomy Bauro (Deceased)   Boxing            Light Heavyweight     1984/1988      Honiara

Ben Fafale                           Weightlifting    Men’s middleweight    1988            Malaita province

John Maeke                        Athletics            10000m                          1988          Guadalcanal province

Derrick Tenai                      Archery            Men’s individual            1988           Malaita Outer Islands

Nester Geniwala                Athletics          100m                               1996           Guadalcanal province

Selwyn Kole                   Athletics         1500m       1996                      Guadalcanal province

Tonny Analau                Weightlifting   64kg         1996                        Isabel province

Primo Higa                    Athletics            3000msc   1996/2000          Makira Ulawa province

Jeny Keni                       Athletics            100m         2000/2004            Malaita province

Francis Manioru           Athletics            100m           2004/2008          Malaita province

Wendy Hale                  Weightlifting     58kg            2008                   Malaita province

Pauline Kwalea             Athletics            100m           2008/2012        Malaita province

Chris Meke Walasi       Athletics            100m             2012                Malaita province

Tony Lomo                    Judo                   60kg              2012                 Malaita province

Jenly Tegu Wini            Weightlifting    58kg             2012/2016        Malaita province

Sharon Kikini Firisua     Athletics           5000m        2016                  Malaita province

Rosefelo Siosi                 Athletics           5000m        2016                  Malaita province

SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP OPENS

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USP Laucala Campus

BY PETER ZOLEVEKE II

SOLOMON Islands are among the University of South Pacific (USP) member countries that are eligible to apply as candidates for the Pacific Regional Sports Research Scholarship (PRSRS) which currently is now open.

According to USP, the scholarship is a collaboration between the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) and USP.

“These scholarships are for full-time study only. Awardees are not permitted to be in paid employment during the tenure of their awards.

“Scholarship holders will be expected to contribute a maximum of eight hours per week to ongoing teaching in their respective faculties for one semester and for another semester at an industry placement, terms of which will be discussed upon confirmation of award,” the statement said.

The two partners are keen to fund interdisciplinary projects that fall within the following research themes with a focus on sports, Economics, Social Impact and Physical Education.

“The awards are tenable from early 2021 and maybe held in any member country of the USP. There will be three scholarships awarded for the 2021 academic year,” the USP website stated on their website.

Benefits and Conditions if a candidate is successful in obtaining the PRSRS award in 2021 will comprise of the following: Tuition fees (paid directly), Book allowance of up to FJD750/year, General Service’s fees paid directly, Health Services fees paid directly, Living allowance of FJD21, 600, Dependents Allowance of FJD10, 883 for qualifying awardees and Establishment Allowance of FJD 1, 942 for qualifying awardees.

“Research grant – only after the research plan and budget have been approved by the appropriate Research Committee.

“One return airfare when the person receiving the award has to travel to a USP campus in another country to take up the offer,” it stated.

The application can be obtain on; https://research.usp.ac.fj/pacific-regional-sports-research-scholarship

Deadline for applications is 30th November, 2020

With the country at its building up stage to play host for the 2023 Pacific Games, the national government has already established the Solomon Islands National Institution of Sports (SINIS) under its Talent Pathways course is for athletes, coaches creating opportunities for them through a process for elite and emerging scholarships.

However, it is yet at its formation stages. The construction work on the $13 million SI government funded SINIS has been progressing steadily despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to China Engineering and Construction Company’s SINIS site Manager Rongbao Qi, phase two of the construction has been underway since the completion of the mezzanine floor slab, Phase one.

The current phase includes aligning of steel frames for the roofing to be followed by the actual raising of roofs and interior work on the bottom floors.

The SINIS building is expected to be completed end of next month after construction kicked off on May 25th this year.

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