GUADALCANAL Province sports division is planning on staging a boxing bout later this month to help their preparations for this year’s Solomon Games.
Assistant Provincial Sports coordinator Mr Francis Loxie said boxing head coach Mr Channel Kaoni has held discussions with their executive and has agreed to host the bouts.
“We’re looking at hosting the boxing bouts at either the Don Bosco Technical Institute or at GPPOL 2,” Mr Loxie told SunSPORTS yesterday.
“According to Mr Kaoni there are 15 fighters confirmed for the proposed fights which will likely be held at the end of this month or early next month.
“The bouts are purposely to help raise funds for Guadalcanal province’s athletes and officials for the Renbel Solomon Games and also to help prepare our boxers for the national games this November,” he said.
Meanwhile the 2018 Solomon Games in Rennell and Bellona province is set to take place on November 20th -30th.
According to a statement from the local organising committee they are expecting more than 2000 athletes and officials to grace their shores for the 7th Solomon Games.
Theme for this year’s Solomon Games is ‘Live the Impossible Dream’.
The national U-19s pose for a group photo upon their arrival in Tahiti. Photo supplied.
By Taromane Martin
THE country’s national U-19 soccer team have arrived and are settling down in Tahiti after leaving the country on Tuesday.
The national U-19 squad is in Tahiti to compete at the 2018 Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-19 championship which kicks off this Saturday.
Head Coach Batram Suri said the team is in good spirit and is settling in as they look to create history for the country.
“The team is very confident with all the players by considering their individual techniques and tactics where we have been working on them for the past months,” Coach Suri said prior to their departure on Tuesday.
“We have a team of very young and energetic players who are prepared to give all they have to finish top of the group and into the semi-finals.
“Our initial target will be the semi-finals. From there on then we can work out going beyond that into the finals to achieve our world cup qualification goal,” he adds.
Solomon Islands is pooled in Group B with Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Solomon Islands will play New Caledonia in their first match this Sunday followed by Fiji Thursday next week and then Vanuatu in their final group match on August 12 at the Stade Fautaua.
The top two teams from Oceania will qualify for a sport in the Youth World Cup which will be staged in Poland come 2019.
RECAP.. Henderson Eels FC Tuti Zama tries to go pass a Real Kakamora FC player during round one. Both teams will
meet again this second round as the race for the top two TSL spots continues this weekend. Photo ISN File.
By Taromane Martin
Draws for TSL
THE Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) has confirmed that the much anticipated new season for the Telekom Soccer league will kick off this weekend at the Lawson Tama stadium.
The new TSL season was supposed to kick off on July 21 but saw SIFF and the TSL executive board forced to cancel the kick off date due to late registrations from the clubs.
But a statement from SIFF media officer Mr Simon Abana on Wednesday confirmed that official draws for the competition have been at the SIFF Panatina Academy.
Mr Abana said as of yesterday all eight participating clubs have confirmed their participation for the new TSL season.
“The most anticipated Telekom S-League 2018/2019 season is scheduled to start on Sunday August 5th, 2018,” the statement said.
“This is after the TSL board and Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) have received seven participating club’s confirmation of commitment towards the league.
“An official draw was done today at the SIFF academy conference room which was conducted by all TSL club managers.
“Franchise clubs committed to commence the TSL 2018/2019 season are Solomon Warriors, Marist FC, Malaita Kingz, Henderson Eels, KOSSA, Western United, Real Kakamora and FC Guadalcanal,” it adds.
Meanwhile, the first match for this Sunday according to the yesterday’s draws will see defending champions Solomon Warriors FC taking on Marist FC at 2pm followed by KOSSA FC taking on Real Kakamora FC at 4pm.
Another visit to two statue like creations at Pier 2 Art center.
BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE
A challenging, fun and exciting year of teaching Mandarin at Solomon Islands National University (SINU) has just ended and it was time for a break.
Ms Kuei Mi Li prior to taking time off in June this year had earlier spoke of how she plans to visit some of her students when she gets to Taiwan to see how they’re doing with their Mandarin and how life in Taiwan is treating them.
She spent her break in her hometown, Kaohsiung, not only the third populous city in Taiwan but also home to the largest port in the country, also a sister port of Honiara since 2017.
Upon meeting with some of her former Solomon Islands students, now studying in Taipei and Kaohsiung, Ms Li was able to spend some time with three of them.
She caught up with Joseph Lefotoo, Robinson Minevaleke and Simon Tewa Tomasusu who are currently doing their Post Baccalaureate in Medicine at I-Shou University in Kaohsiung.
Ms Li took them to one her favourite neighbourhoods in Kaohsiung, the Pier 2 Art Center, which she describes as “a vibrant recreational zone transformed from clusters of abandoned warehouses”.
As they strolled around the Art Center, she got to hear of what they think of Taiwan, their impression of Kaohsiung, what they liked most during their stay and whether studying Mandarin at SINU prior to travelling to study in Taiwan helped them when they first arrived in Taiwan.
“So far the three are all satisfied with their study in Kaohsiung. They enjoy their life in Taiwan”, she said.
Ms Li went on to say that Joseph sees Taiwan as a country with people who always want to strive for the best.
“They are very innovative and want to lead in areas of science, medicine, and other technologies. It is a country that always does research in science, medicine and even sociology too”, he said.
Kaohsiung MRT station.
That’s not all what Joseph thinks of Taiwan, emphasizing that it is also a safe country to live in with the most reliable police force in the world.
“It has some of the best universities in the world. It even has some of the best hospitals in the world. Hospitals which are fully equipped”, he adds.
Joseph also thinks Taiwanese people are the most loving people who are kind and uphold moral values.
“They are always very studious, considerate and very smart. They are always proud of what they are doing specially to present their country to the rest of the world. They want to contribute to the welfare of humanity around the globe”
For Robinson Minevaleke, Taiwan has a rich and diverse culture, a relative low cost of living, amazingly cheap transportation system, advanced technologies and quality and affordable education in the Asian region.
Like Lefotoo, he sees people from Taiwan as one of the friendliest people you can come across in life.
Minevaleke stressed that although it might be a bit difficult to understand them at first due to the cultural and language barriers once you get to know them you’ll figure out that they are warm and hospitable and view interpersonal relationships above money and interest.
“They will always try their best to show you that they are different from other Asians based on their Chinese’s heritage. Taiwan and its people are the true gems of Asia”, he said.
The next segment of their conversation was over some bubble milk tea by the port with them telling Ms Li their impression of Kaohsiung.
She wanted to know if they liked her city as much as she did and there, they told her.
Another visit to two statue like creations at Pier 2 Art center.
They statement of how friendly people are cannot be better expressed as the compliment was again mentioned.
Besides that, Lefotoo take on Kaohsiung rests on the picture of a busy city, less populated compared to Taipei with very efficient public transportation, an organized city council and very clean.
Minevaleke’s impression of Kaohsiung is rather more relaxed. He refers to it as his “home away from home”.
In this sense, to him it is a place where there is always something to see and enjoy which he tops off with “it is not so fast and crowded like other big cities which I like”.
“Here, you tend to mingle with local farmers and the place has a lot of traditional attractions and tasty local foods. I also prefer the Kaohsiung tropic climate”, said Minevaleke.
As for Tomasusu, Kaohsiung is a beautiful town with the spot light in recreational arts areas.
He said while transportation is easy and convenient by bus, train or taxi, getting from one place to another by bus or train is cheaper.
Tomasusu added that the city has beautiful night markets and a variety of delicious foods and drinks.
Ms Li went on to ask about what they liked most during their stay in Taiwan which at this time was nearly the end of their first year of studies.
Taiyo and Zongzi (rice dumpling for dragon boat festival), gift from Teacher
She explained that Lefotoo learned a lot from what he saw around Kaohsiung, ranging from how people behaved, how organized the city is, public transport, how the police force functions and the scope of infrastructure that shapes up the country that has Wi-Fi available almost everywhere from shopping malls, transporting avenues to food courts.
Minevaleke had the most to say about this.
“I do like and admire a hell lot of things here”, he said.
The list started off with how amazed he is by the society social cohesion based on Taiwan’s cultural heritage.
“The people are friendly and respectful and the societal inclusion of elderly, disabled and minority groups is worth mentioning here as it is what is missing in many societies these days”, said Minevaleke.
Taiwan’s efficient and cheap transportation system for him is what makes moving around the island “easy”.
Tomasusu liked visiting new places and obviously favours Taiwan food and drinks, stating that this what he liked the most. He put out Chen zhu nai cha, otherwise known as pearl milk tea in Taiwan as an example.
Visiting the Kaohsiung port.
Time passed and they were now asked if they found their SINU Mandarin class helpful when they arrived in Taiwan.
All three of them replied positively, Lefotoo pointed out that it was very helpful but wished he had studied Mandarin for a year before coming to Taiwan.
Minevaleke also voiced that it helped him a lot and is grateful that he attended the class.
Tomasusu said the class helped him a lot during his first few weeks in Taiwan.
By now, enjoying Pier 2 Art Center, having tasted Taiwan treats and walking around site seeing were soon to be memories as the day’s activity slowly came to an end.
Ms Li mentioned that they also had to return to the university to prepare for their exams.
But before departing, she said Tomasusu shared a story she refers to as a typical scenario for most foreigners in Taiwan that not only shows how friendly the people in Taiwan are but the importance of learning Mandarin if you want to live and study in Taiwan.
“I got lost in town, a stranger spotted me on the street and helped me. The conversation was totally not understandable but only by sign language. Xie Xie (thank you) for the stranger friend, finally he dropped me in a totally wrong place. But yeah, I manage to reach home hours later safely”, said Tomasusu.
Taiyo and Zongzi (rice dumpling for dragon boat festival), gift from Teacher
BY LORETTA BRIGIDIA MANELE
Taiyo and Zongzi (rice dumpling for dragon boat festival), gift from Teacher
ACCORDING to three Solomon Islands students, studying Mandarin at SINU was boost and helped them a lot when they first settled in Taiwan.
Joseph Lefotoo, Robinson Minevaleke and Simon Tewa Tomasusu are ICDF scholarship recipients, currently doing their Post Baccalaureate in Medicine at I-Shou University in Kaohsiung which happens to be Ms Li’s hometown.
In June, they met up with their teacher Ms Kuei Mi Li who travelled from Solomon Islands to Taiwan for a break.
Moreover, upon their meeting in her hometown, Kaohsiung she asked them if her Mandarin class at SINU was helpful during their first few weeks in Taiwan.
Lefotoo expressed that it was very helpful but mentioned that he wished he had studied the language for about a year before travelling to Taiwan for studies.
Minevaleke said that the Mandarin lessons helped him a lot and he is grateful that he had attended the class before leaving for Taiwan.
However, he mentioned that learning Mandarin in Solomon Islands is much cheaper than in Taiwan.
“For instance, this summer I enquired for an extra mandarin class for only 6 weeks and found out the costs to be at least about $4000 SBD which is expensive for a student to afford”, said Minevaleke.
Tomasusu also found the Mandarin lessons really helpful, particularly in terms of ordering food and drinks as well as in basic communication with his classmates and teachers.
They also told Ms Li why studying the language is important.
Lefotoo stated that it is essential to learn Mandarin when studying in Taiwan because it is one of the global languages in this age of globalization.
“Pursuing further study in Taiwan, one should know how to write and speak the Mandarin language”, he said.
Sharing the same sentiment, Mr Minevaleke said that it is a “must” to know Mandarin given that Taiwan is a predominantly Mandarin speaking country.
He pointed out that although his studies are taught in English which helps him a lot, requiring some level of Mandarin is still essential in Taiwan especially when it involves things like communicating or socializing with the locals or when ordering food in restaurants.
“Knowledge of Mandarin language will make your life easier and you will get the best out from your stay in Taiwan. If you do not, then you will just miss out on a lot here”, said Minevaleke.
THE Two-4-One band has received two invitations to perform overseas following their comeback recently.
They had left the music scene for a very long time.
The legendary Solomon Islands band has been invited to perform live in New Caledonia and Brisbane, Australia, in an annual festival there.
The event will take place this year in October in Brisbane and later in New Caledonia.
Two4One Band leader Mr Donald Bato said the band is looking forward to participating in international gigs which will give opportunities for his boys to showcase their talents and music style.
Bato said there are other performance opportunities but does not want to disclose them as yet.
“Since opportunities ahead of us, I told the boys that we have to pull up our socks and work hard and commit ourselves to achieve our goals, example to go regional or international,” Bato said.
Bato calls for government support for music industry in the country to establish an institution for youths and young talent musician in the country.
He said there are many talented musician in the country but they never get proper education for music and singing.
The Two4One Band was a big name in the local music industry back in the 90s to the early 2000s. They unfortunately took an early break due to few challenges, but are now back, better than ever.
Three weeks ago, the band made their first comeback show during the Melanesian Arts and Cultural Festival by singing composed songs—this show stunned their fans and visitors who attended the event.
This is when the band attracted to the regional and international stage which ahead of them.
MORE than twenty Kava farmers from Wards 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 at Norwest Choiseul participated in a Kava Training workshop held in Pupuku Village recently.
MPA for Ward 12 at Varisi Lavata Hon Nerio Ulemiki reporting said the Kava Training was facilitated by the Chief Agriculture Officer of Choiseul Province Mr Benjamin Sanau along with a female Honiara based Agriculture Officer and an Isabel Province expert on Kava who liased with Varivao Holdings Company for promoting Kava.
“Inside the training, the participants learnt about the technical processes from planting to marketing of best quality Kava products.
“According to the statement made by Mr Sanau, he said he will assist Kava farmers of Choiseul to form a Kava Association and to liaise with Varivao Holdings Company for training and buying of their Kava products,” said Hon Ulemiki.
The Kava Training workshop starting on the 26th of July and ending on the 28th ignited happy farmers to return to their dwellings and plant more Kavas.
Drainage at the Kukum market packed with plastic waste and betel-nut husk believed to provide a harmful environment to the surrounding communities.
BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
HONIARA City Council chief inspector George Titulu has underscored challenges that hinder the ongoing issue of the Kukum Market drainage which poses unfriendly environment and bad stink for the general public to inhale.
In an exclusive interview with Mr Titiulu yesterday he told this paper that there are challenges the council is facing in addressing this issue. These are;
“The Honiara City Council has few waste compactors to transport rubbish and these few machines are currently in a status of mechanical problems.
“Also addressing the general public attitude to do away with littering habit is another challenge for HCC to deal with.
“I hope by doing this it will and can lessen the issue of the Kukum Market drainage matter that those who live nearby and the general public is currently facing.”
Inspector Titiulu said Works division under the HCC had already carried out their responsibility with regards to cleaning the drain and transporting the rubbish to the Ranadi Landfill site but the issue still remains.
“With that we (HCC) have analysed that the situation is caused by the above mentioned challenges,” he said.
Moreover, Titiulu said hence it is crucial for HCC to spearhead a meeting with Kukum shop owners (Asians) and residence that live near purposely to generate ideas on how to keep that drain a rubbish free site and besides to educate them on the councils littering policy that is in place.
Work progressing well along the main northern section at the market site.
BY ALFRED PAGEPITU
GIZO
FILLING Gabion baskets along the main northern section at the new redevelopment Gizo market house project site continues.
A spokesman from the Construction site yesterday said stage one of the sewer main to the site boundary is almost complete. Stage-2 will occur during main building works.
He said the eastern section of wall is complete and works progressing well along the main northern section. Wall extended out by 1.5m, increasing overall market by 200m2 at the market site.
He said sea wall contraction is still continues, while positioned the gabions baskets depends on weather patterns currently affecting the province.
Gabion Sea Wall reaches half way completion.
The man said orders for most major building components have now been ordered and tender for building works closed and submissions now being assessed.
“Building works scheduled to start in early this month.
“Reeves International will appoint building contractor and first container shipment departs Melbourne for Honiara.
“We are expecting locally sourced timber to start arriving in Gizo this month,” he said.
He said early this month, construction commences on the east market hall and early on September Structural Steel to arrive on site.
Work progressing well along the main northern section at the market site.
Workers have discouraged general public to use the walk way close to the temporary fencing where the construction is on process.
This construction of the new re-develop market house project is funded by the Australian Government, that Revees International group of contractors will build the current Western Provincial capital town market house project.
The Gizo market design documents have been approved for construction. There are no significant delays affecting the programme. The project is expected to be completed by the end of February 2019.
Teachers who train to be the tutors for the implementation of the second chance DFL programme in Malaita.
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
AUKI
Teachers who train to be the tutors for the implementation of the second chance DFL programme in Malaita.
A three-day training for tutors who will implement SINU’s Distance Flexible Learning programme in Malaita province has successfully ended yesterday.
The training was held at Auki Community High School in Auki and the school will be the host for the programme in the province.
Marketing and Promotion officer of DFL/SINU, Mr Jerry Pakirai said the training was to train the teachers/tutors who will tutor the students.
He said one specialty about the training is the learning of tutors on an ability to present their subjects to students with detail.
Because the DFL programme was designed mainly for students who dropped out from formal education system, Pakirai said.
“So the approach of teaching required under the DFL programme will a bit different in a way dropouts will able to learn what they teach.
“In other word, the training is to ensure tutors to train the students so that it meets their academic needs,” he said.
Pakirai said so far a total of 16 teachers have been trained on the programme and if need arises, the current tutors will train other teachers.
Meanwhile, Principal of Auki Community High School, Mr Timmy Afia accredited SINU for selecting ACHS to be the host school for the programme in the province.
He said the programme was previously introduced at Aligegeo School, however due to potential ACHS has in its nearness to Auki CBD area, the programme was reschedule to this school.
Afia said on behalf of ACHS in liaison with Malaita Education Authority (MEA), they really happy for introducing the second chance DFL programme in Malaita Province.
