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Where’s the money?

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Milton Ragaruma
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LOs threaten to close down national project over ‘mishandled’ half-million dollars

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

LANDOWNERS of Wairokai, where the national palm oil project is located, are threatening to close down the project.

They issued the notice to close down the project following reports that the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) has mishandled $566,000 which was meant for labourers’ wages.

A landowner, who wished to remain anonymous, told Island Sun Auki office yesterday that landowners are now ‘one-minded’ to halt the project due to government’s failure on the project.

The landowner adds that ‘discrepancies started to show right at the very beginning of the project’, and have continued to date.

“We involved in the project since it started and we knew very well who is doing what on the project.

“In a generally view, I can say the project has a dull future because luck of government’s commitment to push it according to expectation.

“We did all we can for the development of the project and we still committed because we know the project is for our good and everyone’s good.

“But with the current status of the project it seems dull and if it continue we (landowners) can decide on its future,” the person said.

The farmer adds that all along it has been the government’s rhetoric to blame landowners for posing as an impediment to development in the rurals, but for the case of Wairokai, the landowners have opened up their land and that it is the government who is proving to be a stumbling block to development.

“But in this case landowners allow their land and resource for development, it was the government that fail it responsibility to properly deliver the project,” the farmer said.

Title-defense preparation soon

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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The national senior futsal side known as Kurukuru is the reigning OFC champions. (INSERT) Kurukuru head coach Jerry Sam.

Coach to call training for Kurukuru by end of this month

BY ROMULUS HUTA

The national senior futsal side known as Kurukuru is the reigning OFC champions. (INSERT) Kurukuru head coach Jerry Sam.

THE head coach of the national senior futsal side, known as Kurukuru, will call training soon for members of his training squad.

Head coach Jerry Sam confirmed to SunSPORTS yesterday that he is currently working on his training squad list which would soon be made known.

The training is part of their preparation toward the 2020 Oceania Futsal Championship which will double as the qualifiers for the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Solomon Islands is the current Oceania champions with of a total of record-tying five titles won in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2016.

On top of that, the Kurukurus have qualified for the past three editions of the FIFA World Cup representing Oceania in 2008, 2012 and 2016, respectively.

Jerry stated that their preparation toward their Oceania title defense would begin at the end of this month and strongly emphasised that their immediate focus would be the Australian National Futsal Championship next year.

The Australian National Futsal Championship is an annual event which usually occurs in January.

“As soon as I finish enlisting the training squad, I will call training.

“We will have a slow start, atleast twice a week for the boys.

“We’re working on big plans in the preparation for the 2020 qualifiers.

“I have big pool of players to select from and we are looking at taking things on a more serious note with our upcoming participation in the Australian National Futsal Championship next year and as well as having a line of interesting international friendlies in the pipeline.”

Jerry also expressed excitement with the availability of Captain Elliot Ragomo, who is in the country at the moment.

Ragomo help stirred local outfit Marist to winch the national futsal title last month upon his return from playing professionally in the Brazilian Liga Nacional de Futsal with club Minas Tênis Clube.

“Ragomo’s presence will help boost the morale of the young players in our training squad.

“Our captain is an inspirational leader who had already led us into three futsal world cups and he has a lot of respect.”

The other three senior Kurukuru members in the form of James Egeta, Jack Wetney and Micah Lea’alafa will also return for the national futsal side next year, according to Jerry.

“I’ve been in close contact with James, Jack and Micah as they are playing overseas at the moment and they will join training later as we head toward the qualifiers.

“The addition of these experienced names along with the new ones will help us select a very strong team for the qualifiers,” Jerry, who is also the futsal development officer for Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF), said.

Meanwhile, Solomon Islands’ Oceania close rivals namely New Zealand, Tahiti and New Caledonia have already begun their preparation months ago toward the 2020 qualifiers with the aim of dethroning the Kurukurus from the premier regional futsal title and attempt a shot at the 2020 world cup.

In April, New Caledonia and Tahiti played a three match series against each other and the latter came out winning the tie.

Last month, New Zealand known as Futsal Whites played in an invitational tournament in China against the hosts, Vietnam and Russia but lost all matches.

Youth futsal side to finalise team after tour

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Milton Ragaruma
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Under-17 futsal top goal scorer Raphael Le’ai celebrates one of his goals with team mate Frankster Rukumana during last year’s qualifiers in New Zealand.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE national youth futsal team will name their final 10-man squad for the Youth Olympic Games upon return from their current Australia tour.

The national youth side is currently on a week-long training camp at the Sydney-based Dural Sports Leisure Center in Australia.

This is part of their preparation toward this year’s Youth Olympic Games in Argentina come October where futsal is debuting for the first time.

A total of 12 boys are currently on this trip to Australia, accompanied by Head coach Stanley Puairana, Assistant coach Dickson Kadau and Team Manager Nacanieli Seru.

Puiarana said competition for those final places in the team is tough.

“It is very hard to decide on the final ten players for the Youth Olympics but we’ll use the Australia training camp to select our final squad,” he said.

“All the players have performed in the National Futsal League and they deserved a place in the final squad.

“But it will come down to who deserved it more based on the effort they put in training and their attitude off the court will also play a major part.”

Team Manager Seru said: “Junior Kurukuru management have come up with 12 names after intensive training and good experience in a very competitive SIPA league.

“In the 12 months our boys have had the opportunity to improve themselves by playing against some very strong clubs that are comprised of senior Kurukuru players.

“This trip is basically to help our boys adapt into an international standard court,” Seru added.

“Also the training camp will help us to identify players who are strong mentally to handle the challenge of being away from home.”

Mani third in SPOJC doubles

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Milton Ragaruma
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Graham Mani flies higher in his singles tie contest against Tahiti in the semifinals.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

NATIONAL lawn tennis representative Graham Mani has teamed up with a Northern Mariana Islander to finish at third place in the doubles competition of the South Pacific Open Junior Championships (SPOJC) held last month in Fiji.

The 2018 South Pacific Open Junior Championships (SPOJC) was held at the Regional Training Centre in Lautoka from June 25 to July 1.

Mani and female netter Zorika Morgan represented Solomon Islands in the event with both losing out in the singles competition at round of 64 to two Australians.

Morgan could not stand up to a hefty challenge from Tamara Bajagic as she lost out on two straight sets 6-0, 6-0.

Mani put in a strong fight against Junyi Tangi but lost 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2.

Tangi came out leading the first set before Mani made a comeback to win the second set.

With a one-all tie, the duo went in for the final set where Tang managed to win 6-2 which had him qualified into round of 32.

The setback in the singles competition did not hold back Mani as he partnered with Robert Schorr of Northern Mariana Islands to win the bronze in the boys under-18 doubles.

SI National Swimming team focus on Pacific Games 2019

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Milton Ragaruma
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Members of the national swimming team infront of the Taurama Aquatic Center in Port Moresby during last month’s Oceania Championship.(insert) The national swimming head coach Stance Beula, Swimming Vice-President Nihal Seneviratne and PNG swimming legend Ryan Pini.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

SOLOMON Islands Swimming National team has set a strong focus toward their participation at next year’s Pacific Games in Samoa.

Swimming Head coach Stance Beula said their aim is to make Solomon Islands reach new heights in swimming by winning the country’s first medal in the newly-introduced sport.

Swimming is one of the 16 compulsory codes within the allocated 24 sports earmarked to be staged during the Games which will run from July 8 to 20 in Apia next year.

The Solomon Islands swimming team participated in last month’s 12th edition of the Oceania Swimming Championship in PNG and have achieved a fair result despite most of its members missing out on a place in the finals of their various events.

“The championship last month was important for us.

“I think we have the potential to make it further given we have no proper facilities at home to enhance our training,” Beula told SunSPORTS upon their return from Port Moresby.

“Here we train in open waters which hold a lot of difference from the pool we compete in at the Oceania level.

“The level at the Oceania Championship is a lot higher given it is dominated by the experienced Australian and New Zealand swimmers who are very much well-off and equipped.

“Upon our return, our next target is the Pacific Games next year in Samoa.

“We will resume training shortly for the Samoa Games and so as we will also be looking to send some of our swimmers to an overseas event coming up this year,” Beula said.

Swimming Federation Vice-President Nihal Seneviratne said results gathered from the Oceania Championship last month renews the call that more support is needed from stakeholders for swimming.

“Firstly, we have no proper facilities back home but still we were able to produce some excellent results in the heats.

“Our performance tells us that we have a lot of potential in swimming and this is only the start,” Seneviratne assures.

Members of the national swimming team infront of the Taurama Aquatic Center in Port Moresby during last month’s Oceania Championship.(insert) The national swimming head coach Stance Beula, Swimming Vice-President Nihal Seneviratne and PNG swimming legend Ryan Pini.

Kakamora football zone championship underway

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Milton Ragaruma
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By Taromane Martin

THE Makira Ulawa Football Association (MUFA) has kicked off preparations to select provincial players to represent the province in this year’s Solomon Games.

MUFA on Tuesday kicked off the 2018 Kakamora Football Zone championship with the official opening ceremony and teams’ parade at the Manita Sports Ground in Arosi One.

MUFA Vice President Mr Roxley Tara told SunSPORTS yesterday that a total of 11 teams are taking part in the competition.

Mr Tara said the competition is expected to take two weeks to complete with MUFA expected to announce a Real Kakamora provisional training squad after the completion of the tournament.

“Grand opening took place on Tuesday at the Manita Sports Ground in Makira Province,” he said.

“A total of 11 teams are taking part in the competition which MUFA will use to select players from to represent the province in this year’s Solomon Games in Rennell and Bellona.

“Competition is played in two pools, Pool A and Pool B. Format for the finals will see the top team in Pool A taking on the runner up of Pool B and vice-versa.

“Looking at the pool games it will take us two weeks to complete the competition. Four matches will be played per day.

“Pool matches will kick off today (yesterday) with the semi-finals and grand final match likely to take place next weekend,” he adds.

Tara said with this being the highest football competition in the province he hopes MUFA will select the best crop of players for Real Kakamora for the Solomon Games.

“This is the highest football tournament hosted by MUFA in the province. This year we have agreed to send an U-23 football team for the Solomon Games.

“This year’s competition will be interesting because the selection for the provincial Real Kakamora squad for the Solomon Games will also be done during the tournament.

“As soon as the tournament ends names for the Real Kakamora U-13 man training squad for the Solomon Games will be made known public.

Meanwhile football zones who are taking part in the 2018 Kakamora Football Zone Championship are Ulawa Football zone (two teams), Arosi football zone (two teams), Bauro Football Zones (two teams), Star Harbour Football Zone (one team), Owa Football Zone (two teams) and Haura Football Zone (two teams).

Ugi and Kahua Football Zones are the only two zones who were unable to attend the tournament.

U-19 squad leaves end of month

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Milton Ragaruma
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Solomon Warriors FC Haddis Aengari is forced to foul national U-19 striker Ali Mekawir during their 1-1 draw friendly match at the SIFF Panatina Academy on Wednesday…Photo Taromane Martin

By Taromane Martin

Solomon Warriors FC Haddis Aengari is forced to foul national U-19 striker Ali Mekawir during their 1-1 draw friendly match at the SIFF Panatina Academy on Wednesday…Photo Taromane Martin

THE country’s national Under 19 men’s soccer team will leave the country to compete at the 2018 Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-19 Championship in Tahiti end of this month.

Head Coach Batram Suri told SunSPORTS on Wednesday after their friendly match one all draw with reigning Telekom Soccer League (TSL) champions Solomon Warriors FC at the SIFF Panatina Academy.

Coach Suri said the boys showed lots of improvements defensively during the friendly match but stressed they will need to play at least three more friendly matches before they fly out on the 31st.

“The boy’s performance today I would say is a big improvement from our other previous friendly matches,” he said.

“Now the boys seem to understand the game plan especially in defending which the technical team has been working really hard on improving and strengthening.

“A team which is good at countering and in defending can and will win games. Defending is an area we’ve been working on.

“We believe a team that can defend from the back and counter at the same time can go far in the upcoming championship,” he adds.

While Coach Suri was pleased with their defensive play, he however admitted their combination play is still yet to gel but is encouraged with some of the combinations starting to build within the team.

“Combination wise we are yet to fully get into it yet but there is some good combination play from some of the players which is encouraging, especially going front, in the middle and with our ball possession.

“But this is a big improvement from the boys today especially with our defending and our combination play from the mid field up to the forwards.

“We need at least three more games with the weeks left before we fly out at the 31st of this month for Tahiti for the competition.

“It’d be good to have one international friendly match unfortunately the probability of it happening is not high.

“But we are humble and honored to test the squad against one of the best clubs in Oceania and the country, Solomon Warriors FC, who are also the defending TSL champions.

“We’ll continue to work and look on other areas we think still needs improvement, especially in our set pieces, attacking and defending, and our strategic plan going forward and defending.

“The hype is starting to creep into the camp now that the competition is weeks away from kick off but we still have time to work on these areas and we want to work on these things so that our system can be complete before we travel,” Suri said.

SIPA kicks off effective workplace partnership workshop

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Milton Ragaruma
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BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) underwent a two-day workshop at the Heritage Park Hotel for its workforce based on various aspects with regards to their employment.

The workshop was organised to enhance and broadens the SIPA workforce understanding of various aspects of industrial relationships between management and employees, connecting of efforts towards harmonious relationship, trust and confidence in the organization.

SIPA board secretary Charles Ashely on behalf of the board said the workshop is timely and crucial for strengthening of partnership between the employers (SIPA) and its employees.

He said an effective partnership is crucial hence both the employer and the employees need to work together as a team to achieve the common set and visions mandated.

Staff training/development policy manager cooperate service of SIPA James Gerea said “The significance of having an effective workplace partnership between management and employees is very crucial for the organization, the employees, our stakeholders and nation at lager.

“As an organisation we have our own issues and problems .However no problem is too big to solve. We can solve whatever is our problem are.

“At the end of the day what matters is for us to work together as a team to achieve our goals and realised our visions and mission as a hub port of pacific and port of choice,” he said.

The workshop commenced on Wednesday and will be concluded today with a theme of Building and effective workplace partnership.

SIPA employees told to work together for mutual interest

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Milton Ragaruma
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BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

ON Wednesday Solomon Islands Ports Authority employees who have attended a two-day workshop were told to work together for mutual interest.

This statement was addressed by Mr Chris Elphick of the Breadfruit consulting.

“We need to change our old habits to work together for our mutual interest, not our own positions and to change our habits and mindset towards each other because there is just one team at SIPA which includes all management, staff and union members,” he said.

Elphick said this process recognises the appropriate right of managers to manage and unions to represent their members but it focuses on win results

“Our goal should be for a productive organisation that produces excellent services which will increase profitability and therefore job security and create more jobs for Solomon Islands,” he said.

SIPA employees learn positive workplace partnership

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Milton Ragaruma
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BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

SOLOMON Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) employees learnt of positive workplace partnership yesterday at the Heritage Park hotel in Honiara.

Speaking in light of the topic Chris Elphick from Breadfruit Consulting and the facilitator of the topic said positive workplace partnership involves the working together of employers and unions to build positive workplace relationships.

He said this is in order to change, build capability and improve performances, worker contributions and the quality of the workplace for employees.

Elphick explained that partnership is about new employment relationships based on mutual gain.

“It is in the interests of both employers and union members for their workplace to excel in what it does and as a place of work. In a partnership there is something in it for all,” he said.

Elphick said in a true partnership conflict gets worked through in a way that preserves the non-going relationship.

He adds communications, active listening, joint problem solving, empathy, engagement and participation are keys to effective partnership.

“We need to change our old habits to work together for our mutual interest, not in our own position because effective workplace partnership needs respectful workplaces and smart workplaces,” said Elphick.                                                                                

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