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FLYING PARTNER

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Airline backs Kings’ international campaign

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Solomon Airlines has stepped in to support Solomon Kings FC’s international football campaign after signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to become the club’s official airline partner.

The partnership will see the national carrier support the Solomon Islands professional football club with travel requirements during the 2026 OFC Champions League, providing a timely boost as the team undergoes circuits of regional competition.

According to a media statement from Solomon Airlines, the agreement was formalized during a signing ceremony held on the airport tarmac beside a Solomon Airlines Airbus A320 aircraft, attended by players, club officials and airline representatives.

The airline stated that under the partnership it will assist with the club’s travel arrangements while also collaborating with Solomon Kings FC on selected marketing and promotional activities.

“Solomon Airlines Limited and Solomon Kings Football Club (SKFC) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), establishing Solomon Airlines as the official airline partner of the Solomon Kings Football Club.

“The signing ceremony was held on the tarmac beside a Solomon Airlines A320 Airbus, with players, officials and airline representatives in attendance,” the statement from the airline said.

Solomon Kings FC Deputy Chairman Rabieh Krayem welcomed the partnership, saying the airline’s support will help the team focus on performance during its international commitments.

“Solomon Airlines’ support allows our team to focus on performance, knowing our travel needs are well taken care of”, Krayem said in comments published by Solomon Airlines and shared on the Solomon Kings FC Facebook page.

“This partnership will not only help showcase Solomon Islands football internationally but allow us to develop the next generation of football players”.

Solomon Airlines Manager Commercial John Wopereis said the airline was proud to support local football and help promote the country through sport.

“Football means a lot to our people and its important pathways to excellence are encouraged and supported”, Wopereis said.

“Partnering with Solomon Kings reflects our commitment to local talent, local sports development, and promoting the Solomon Islands globally. As the national carrier, we are proud to be the Kings’ airline of choice”.

Solomon Airlines added that the agreement will run for 12 months from the date of signing.

The airline also noted that the partnership highlights its ongoing commitment to supporting community initiatives, tourism and sports development across the Solomon Islands.

Meanwhile, Solomon Kings FC remains the country’s first fully professional football club competing in the OFC Pro League and currently sits third on the competition standings while continuing to develop local football talent and represent the nation in regional competitions.

Photo credit : Supplied

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Solomon Kings’ vision to play in the world cup stages

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BY TONY IROGA

The most important vision of Solomon Kings FC is to make sure Solomon Islands players play in the world cup stages.

This visionary message was given by the deputy chair of the Solomon Kings board Mr Rabi during an open Fan Club community event hosted by Our Telekom over the weekend at Lawson Tama Stadium.

He also acknowledged the Solomon Kings players and supporters.

“What they have sacrificed since they left on the 28th of December and only got back home last Friday, they represent everything in this country,” he said.

He added humility, respect, pride, passion, family, which are all the values of football in this country but also of the Solomon Kings, these gentlemen are the first professional team of any sport in this country.

“We give them a big round of applause for the sacrifice they have made,” he said.

He acknowledged the Solomon Islands supporters in Australia who followed the team when the team went to Brisbane.

“What we saw, the OFC Pro League, without the Solomon Kings supporters in Melbourne, it would not have been what it was, one thing about this nation, it will get behind its team, its supporters,” he said.

“And for their club in Australia, Wynnum Wolves, they have a long history of football with the Solomon Islands, as they toured Solomon Islands 25 years ago.

“Every Solomon Islands player here has a home in Brisbane at Wynnum Wolves, and every Wynnum Wolves player that comes to Solomon Islands has a home,” he said.

He added that the coming weekend, when the boys play their first game against Auckland, in front of a full stadium, they will show Oceania that the heart of football in Oceania is here in Honiara in the Solomon Islands.

Photo credit- Tony Iroga

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NSC sports programme brings Choiseul communities together during Second Appointed Day celebrations

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 BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Communities across Choiseul Province came together through a series of sports and recreation activities organized by the National Sports Council (NSC) during the province’s 35th Second Appointed Day celebrations.

According to a media statement from the National Sports Council, the three-day program was organized by the NSC Provincial Sports and Recreation Development Office (PSRDO) in Choiseul from February 24 to 26.

The activities were coordinated by Sports and Recreation Development Officer Brian Koveke and combined fun sporting competitions with public awareness sessions on community sports development.

The NSC said the program was designed to encourage people across the province to stay active while also highlighting the role of the organisation in promoting sports and recreation.

“The program aimed to get communities moving, promote active lifestyles, and highlight NSCSI’s support for sports and recreation in Choiseul”, the NSC said in its statement.

Participants included community members, students, local sports groups and partner organizations who took part in activities such as sprint races, fun games and interactive awareness sessions.

The program also encouraged inclusive participation, with activities organised for children and persons living with disabilities.

Mr Koveke said initiatives like this help strengthen community ties while encouraging young people to see sport as a pathway for positive development.

“Through programs like this we want to encourage our communities, especially young people, to stay active and see sports and recreation as a positive pathway for health, unity and future opportunities”, Mr Koveke said.

The event also featured motivational prizes and giveaways to keep participants engaged, with support from local stakeholders including telecommunications company, Our Telekom.

“Our Telekom Company contributed free data prizes, and competitors in the 100m and 200m races received sports equipment and giveaways”, the NSC said.

One participant, Ms Careyan Tupiti from Supizae community, said the event reminded her of her school athletics days and inspired her to return to the sport.

“I am really happy to take part in these activities. It reminds me of my school athletics days and encourages me to start training again”, Ms Tupiti said.

She added that she hopes to represent Team Lauru in athletics at the upcoming Solomon Games.

Following the successful program, the NSC said it plans to organize more community-based sporting activities in Choiseul, including a possible long marathon or fun run during the Easter period.

Photo credit: Our Telekom

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SIBF registration clears way for national squads

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 BY RICHARD MENANOPO

The Solomon Islands Basketball Federation (SIBF) is set to begin preparations for national squads after officially completing its registration with the National Sports Council Solomon Islands (NSC) for 2026.

Information released by NSC through its official media platform on Monday confirmed that SIBF is the 11th national federation to complete registration with the council this year.

The registration was confirmed following the acceptance of the federation’s application by the NSC Board, allowing SIBF to immediately access key opportunities available to registered national sporting federations.

In its statement, NSC Media said the approval provides several benefits for the federation and its athletes.

“Under the NSC framework, SIBF can now book national sporting facilities at no cost for training national squads, while competitions and international events may be held at standard usage rates,” the council said.

The council noted that the registration will also enable the federation to move forward with forming national teams.

“Under this registration, Solomon Islands Basketball Federation is eligible to nominate one Senior Men’s and one Senior Women’s national squad,” NSC Media said.

The council added that the pathway also extends to developing younger players through structured programmes.

“One priority age-group squad for men and women may also be nominated, selected according to NSC guidelines to support the national athlete pathway”.

Another major benefit is access to elite training support through the country’s High-Performance system.

“The federation also gains access to the High Performance (HP) Centre to support elite athlete preparation and development,” the council said.

As a registered federation, SIBF may also apply for financial assistance under the NSC Governance Grant.

“As a registered federation, SIBF may also apply for the NSC Governance Grant of $10,000 and other funding opportunities”, the statement noted, adding that approvals are subject to compliance requirements and availability.

While the federation has secured its registration, NSC Media indicated that SIBF will still submit its audited financial statements for 2025 after its upcoming Annual General Meeting.

Basketball administrators say the registration represents an important step in strengthening the development pathway for the sport in Solomon Islands.

Established in 1987, the Solomon Islands Basketball Federation is responsible for organizing and developing basketball in the country and represents Solomon Islands in regional and international competitions under the world governing body FIBA.

The sport has continued to expand in recent years through development programs that aim to increase youth participation and strengthen women’s involvement.

NSC Media noted that basketball teams from Solomon Islands have also competed in regional competitions such as the FIBA Melanesian Basketball Cup, which serves as an important pathway towards qualification for future Pacific Games and other international tournaments.

The council said the registration forms part of its broader effort to strengthen governance and improve athlete development across national federations.

“SIBF’s registration reflects the NSC’s continued commitment to strengthening governance, building sustainable athlete pathways, and supporting national federations to compete at regional and international levels”, NSC Media said.

A governance recognition certificate has also been issued to formally acknowledge the federation’s compliance under the NSC framework.

With the registration now confirmed, attention is expected to shift towards forming national squads and preparing athletes for upcoming regional competitions in 2026, as basketball continues to grow across the country.

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Three candidates confirmed for Koviloko Ward by-election

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BY BEN BILUA

THREE candidates have been confirmed to contest the Koviloko Ward by-election in Isabel Province.

Election Manager for Koviloko Ward, Reuben Dotho, confirmed that all nomination formalities were completed yesterday, allowing three candidates to qualify for the race.

He said one application was disqualified after it was submitted past the nomination deadline.

“The disqualified application was because the submission was made after nominations had closed.

“It was something to do with nomination requirements as per the Electoral Act,” Dotho said.

He said the decision to disqualify the application was made following advice from the Attorney General’s Office.

Island Sun understands that the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) has already announced the date for the Provincial Assembly by-elections for West Baegu Ward in Malaita Province and Koviloko Ward in Isabel Province.

Polling has been officially set for Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

A total of 3,793 registered voters across the two wards are eligible to take part in the by-elections.

Voting will be conducted at 10 polling stations, with seven located in West Baegu Ward and three in Koviloko Ward.

The SIEC encourages all eligible voters in both wards to participate in the democratic process and exercise their right to elect their representative to the Provincial Assembly.

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Premier Veo welcomes AIM-N project

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BY BEN BILUA

PREMIER of Western Province Billy Veo welcomes the Agriculture Investment for Markets and Nutrition (AIM-N) Project, describing it as an important initiative that will help farmers and families generate income while producing healthy and nutritious food.

Speaking during the launch of the project yesterday, Veo said his government fully supports the initiative as it will provide both technical and financial support to farmers while strengthening service delivery in rural communities.

He pledges his government’s commitment to work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to ensure the successful implementation of the project across the province.

Veo also stressed the need for a comprehensive awareness and advocacy programme to help communities understand the importance of the project.

“Community awareness is important as it will play a vital role in the implementation of the project,” he said.

Western Province Minister for Agriculture and Forestry Isaac Jenty said the project will support the province’s 2023–2027 Agriculture Sector Plan, which aims to strengthen smallholder farmers.

He said the initiative will play a crucial role in strengthening local agribusiness development in the province.

Jenty added that the project will benefit farmers through capacity building, improved access to markets and support for agricultural infrastructure.

Western Province Minister for Education, Gordon Zebo also welcomed the initiative, saying it will have a positive impact on schools.

“Today, many schools rely heavily on processed foods such as rice, noodles and flour.

“In the past, many schools-maintained gardens where students grew vegetables and root crops to supplement school meals and learn farming skills. I strongly believe this project will support our schools to improve students’ meals,” he said.

Zebo acknowledged that the AIM-N initiative will support efforts to reintroduce school gardens and promote nutritious local food while equipping students with practical agricultural knowledge.

The Agriculture Investment for Markets and Nutrition Project is a six-year initiative with a value of approximately US$20 million.

Launched in July 2025, the project aims to improve food security, nutrition and rural incomes for more than 18,000 people—representing about 6,100 households—in Choiseul, Isabel and Western provinces.

The government and its partners will work together to support sustainable agriculture, strengthen rural livelihoods and promote healthier communities across Solomon Islands.

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National plan 2026 prioritises social and economic infrastructure

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Solomon Islands National Infrastructure Investment Plan (SINIP) 2026 emphasises the development of social and economic infrastructure across the nation.

The Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) officially launched the plan yesterday, with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and MNPDC Minister Trevor Manemahaga presiding over the event.

At the launch, Mr Manele highlighted the plan’s key focus areas:

  • Transport: As a highly dispersed island nation, connectivity remains a major development challenge, affecting multiple sectors and service delivery.
  • Energy and ICT: Reliable power, particularly through renewable energy, and expanded telecommunications are essential for development, connectivity, and service delivery.
  • Water and Sanitation: Protecting public health through improved water supply and wastewater management is critical.
  • Health and Education: Our greatest resource is our people. Strengthening schools and health facilities is vital for service delivery and human capital development.
  • Fisheries, Agriculture, and Coals: Infrastructure that supports the productive sector and enhances climate resilience is crucial for economic transformation.

Manele emphasised that planning alone is not enough.

“Implementation, discipline, accountability, effective oversight, and strong partnerships are critical to the success of this plan,” he said.

“The government alone cannot achieve this. We value the ongoing support of our development partners and the private sector, and we look forward to deepening these partnerships,” he added.

While SINIP focuses on infrastructure, Manele stressed that it is not just about roads, ports, power systems, or buildings, it is about opportunity.

“It’s about connecting our islands, empowering our people, strengthening our economy, and building resilience for future generations,” he said.

Manele calls on all stakeholders including government ministries, state-owned enterprises, provincial governments, investors, communities, and development partners to view SINIP not merely as a government document, but as a national compact.

“A compact for connectivity, a compact for economic resilience, a compact for inclusive prosperity, and a compact for human capital development,” he said.

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National infrastructure investment plan 2026 launched

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) officially launched the Solomon Islands National Infrastructure Investment Plan (SINIP) 2026 yesterday.

The SINIP is a pipeline that provides profiles of national infrastructure projects proposed for the country. The current SINIP plan outlines priority national infrastructure projects for 2026.

Speaking at the launch, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele explained that SINIP is a national and sector-based strategic planning framework used by MNPDC, in collaboration with line ministries and state-owned enterprises (SOE), to guide infrastructure development and coordinate planning discussions with development partners.

He said that since the first document was released in 2013, the government has continued to improve the quality of its long-term planning process.

Mr Manele said the SINIP 2023 edition was the first document approved by the government and officially launched in February 2024.

He added that by the end of November 2025—32 months after the launch of SINIP 2023—significant progress had been achieved.

Manele said that in the productive sector, SINIP has guided major investments in projects such as the Tina Hydropower Project, the Malaita solar grid expansion, and the National Broadband Tower Programme, with about 80 towers already installed.

He said these projects strengthen energy security, reduce reliance on diesel, and extend digital services to communities and businesses nationwide.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister said social infrastructure has also progressed, with 32 major health projects valued at SBD $3.7 billion, along with 10 education projects focused on secondary schools and senior facilities. These projects aim to improve access, quality, and resilience of essential services.

He added that there has also been strong funding mobilisation, with 76 percent of aviation projects and 79 percent of energy projects funded, demonstrating growing partner confidence and alignment with national priorities presented through a clear, evidence-based pipeline.

Manele explained that SINIP consolidates all sectoral infrastructure projects into a single national investment plan.

He said the plan enables the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) to hold targeted discussions with development partners and prioritise projects that deliver the greatest economic and social benefits for the country.

Manele said that over the past six months, MNPDC has worked with line ministries, provincial governments, NGOs, and SOEs to consolidate more than SBD $19 billion worth of unplanned infrastructure projects into a single database for screening and evaluation.

“The work was spearheaded by the SINIP sub-committees. With support from the Pacific Regional Infrastructure Facility, the sub-committees prioritised the pipeline of unplanned infrastructure projects for 2026,” he said.

Prime Minister Manele commended the sub-committees for their work, which led to the successful completion of the SINIP Dossier of National Infrastructure Projects for 2026.

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Police professionalism questioned

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BY BEN BILUA

COMMUNITY leaders and chiefs of San Jorge Island have raised concerns over the professionalism and conduct of police officers deployed to the island.

Outspoken Chief of San Jorge, Paul Fota, claimed that the current arrangement where police officers are hired by mining companies to provide security services is compromising their neutrality.

He said the practice raises serious questions about the ability of police officers to fairly handle disputes between resource owners and mining companies.

According to Fota, engaging police officers to provide security for miners not only breaches protocols but also gives birth to bad influence on how officers respond to issues involving landowners.

“The arrangement compromises the professionalism and conduct of police when dealing with issues between resource owners and mining companies,” he said.

Fota alleges that there have been instances where police officers appeared to protect the interests of mining companies rather than the rights of local resource owners.

“In some cases, resource owners are clearly right, but the actions of police seem to favour the miners,” he added.

Fota said such situations undermine trust between communities and the police force, which is expected to remain impartial in enforcing the law.

He also revealed that police officers are usually deployed to the island for two-week periods before being rotated.

While acknowledging the need for security in areas where mining activities are taking place, community leaders say law enforcement officers must maintain independence and professionalism at all times.

They are now calling on relevant authorities to review the arrangement to ensure that policing remains fair, transparent and in the best interest of all parties involved.

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Ministry commits to supporting upgrades in tourism infrastructure

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is committed to supporting local operators in improving the country’s tourism infrastructure.

Speaking at the recent opening of Double Islands Resort in Central Islands Province, Minister for Culture and Tourism Choylin Douglas said this initiative is a key strategic objective for the ministry.

Mrs Douglas said the tourism industry must continue to upgrade facilities, services and the overall visitor experience.

“The global tourism market is competitive. Today, visitors expect comfort, quality, safety and memorable experiences.

“If we are serious about growing visitor numbers and increasing tourism’s contribution to our economy, raising standards is essential,” Douglas said.

She said a central goal of the ministry, is to support local operators willing to take the risks to enhance tourism infrastructure.

Douglas added that investments like Double Islands Resort directly increase the number of market-ready rooms, which are capable of competing at the international level; emphasizing that every new high-standard development like this moves the country closer to its national tourism growth targets.

However, the minister stressed that infrastructure alone is not enough; service excellence must accompany it.

“I encourage management and staff to continue investing in training, customer care, and consistent quality delivery.

“The beauty of our islands will attract visitors, but it is the warmth and professionalism of our people that will bring them back,” she said.

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