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‘Skin diseases remain major public health concern’

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BY TONY IROGA

The Minister for Health and Medical Services (MHMS) Morris Toiraena says skin diseases remain a major public health concern in Solomon Islands despite ongoing efforts to improve skin health services.

Speaking during the country’s first official World Skin Health Day celebration at HCC Youth Hub Outdoor court in Honiara this week, Mr Toiraena urged Solomon Islanders to seek early treatment for skin diseases and help reduce stigma.

MHMS together with the World Health Organization (WHO), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and the World Scabies Programme, marked the day under the theme “Better Knowledge for Better Skin Health”, a MHMS statement this week said.

Toiraena said despite the progress we have made, skin diseases remain a significant public health challenge.

He described the celebration as a historic milestone, saying it was the first official World Skin Health Day observed in Solomon Islands.

Toiraena said healthy skin is essential for good health and wellbeing and warned that climate change is creating new skin health challenges.

He encourages people to seek early treatment for common skin diseases such as scabies, yaws, leprosy, eczema, and psoriasis, adding that specialist dermatology services are available at the National Referral Hospital while provincial services are being strengthened.

DFAT First Secretary for Health, Jemma Thomson also congratulated the ministry on the work of its Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit and reaffirmed Australia’s continued support for the programme.

WHO Representative to Solomon Islands Dr Howard Sobel praised the ministry’s leadership in improving access to skin health services in Solomon Islands.

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CEMA revives Ugi copra industry, bringing new hope to rural farmers

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BY TONY IROGA

The Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) is helping to revive the copra industry on Ugi Island after years of declining production that affected the livelihoods of hundreds of rural families.

For many decades, copra was the backbone of Ugi Island’s rural economy, providing a reliable source of income for families and supporting community development.

However, production steadily declined over the past seven years, significantly reducing household earnings and placing financial pressure on many families.

Jerry Wala, a CEMA agent in Ugi said renewed partnership with farmers is restoring confidence in the industry and creating new opportunities for economic growth.

“Despite low copra prices in previous years, many farmers continued producing copra as one of the few reliable sources of cash income,” Mr Wala said.

Wala said CEMA remains committed to working closely with farmers to rebuild the copra industry and ensure rural communities once again benefit from sustainable incomes through increased production.

“The revival is already producing positive results,” he said.

He said the initiative has created self-employment opportunities for many rural residents while contributing to higher national copra production.

The increased volume of copra has also generated more business for shipping operators through higher freight demand and helped reduce rural-to-urban migration by creating employment opportunities within villages.

Income earned from copra sales has enabled many families to pay for their children’s schools feels and improved cash flow within local communities.

“A strong copra industry not only supports farmers but also strengthens village economies and improves the quality of life for rural families,” Wala said.

He said to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry, CEMA has identified several priorities which include; improving freight and logistics services to remote islands, assisting farmers with the rehabilitation and replanting of ageing coconut plantations, maintaining production levels, and increasing the country’s overall copra output.

Despite the positive progress, Wala acknowledged that several challenges remain.

“Natural disasters, particularly cyclones, continue to threaten coconut plantations and copra production,” he said.

He also raised concerns over the possible spread of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB), which has already been detected on mainland Makira and Ulawa.

“Rough seas and bad weather continue to disrupt the transportation and purchase of dried copra, while rat infestations remain a threat to coconut production,” Wala added.

Despite these challenges, Wala remains optimistic that continued collaboration between CEMA, farmers and local communities will restore Ugi Island’s copra industry as a major contributor to rural livelihoods and the national economy.

“Our commitment is to ensure farmers receive the support they need to improve production, strengthen their livelihoods and build a resilient copra industry for future generations,” he said.

Photo: Supplied

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Temotu struggles with cash shortage

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BY JOSES SAREN

Temotu Province is grappling with a persistent cash shortage that residents say is worsening, with businesses, families and workers all feeling the impact.

Sharon Inone Stimach, CEO and founder of Greenergy Pacific told Island Sun the BSP agency in Lata has had no cash for almost a week as of Wednesday this week — a problem she said is not new, recurring almost every month.

The entire province has no ATM machine.

Only one shop in Lata operates an EFTPOS machine, which accepts standard bank cards but not Visa cards, and itself frequently runs out of cash because it relies on customer deposits to stay stocked.

Stimach said the province’s sole bank struggles to keep cash on hand, partly because of how money moves through Temotu.

When ships call in, freight payments are made in cash, and that money often leaves the province with the vessel rather than being redeposited locally. With no other channel bringing new cash into the islands, circulation keeps shrinking.

A Lata resident told Island Sun that most businesses in the province deposit their earnings in Honiara, further limiting available cash within Temotu.

The resident said some communities practising informal savings schemes keep their own savings mechanisms outside the banking system, and that cash is only injected into the BSP agency in Lata when shortages become apparent, rather than as a regular practice.

The resident added that some workers had been unable to receive their fortnightly pay as a direct result of the shortage.

Responding to Stimach’s social media post on the matter, May Ferolyn Daiwo said the issue was already known to relevant authorities, who she said were considering recommendations to gradually address the cash shortage.

She acknowledged that some businesses and individuals already made a practice of depositing with the Lata agency, and called on members of the public who kept cash at home to open BSP accounts rather than banking in Honiara.

She added that a long-term trade link with Vanuatu could eventually help boost investment in the banking system, and said confidential recommendations were before senior authorities for consideration.

“Nearly everyone I talk to has the same problem — no cash at all,” Stimach told Island Sun.

“I don’t have exact numbers, but you can see it everywhere. We have not formally raised this with BSP, the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, or the Temotu Provincial Government yet. I hope this story will help bring everyone together to talk about the way forward. We need help.”

The shortage has been felt widely across the province. Families are struggling to meet daily needs, while market vendors, farmers and fishers say they often return home empty-handed because customers cannot access cash to pay them.

Local businesses have reported difficulty restocking or paying suppliers, and project work has slowed as casual laborers go unpaid and materials go unpurchased. Government offices, NGOs, schools and churches have also experienced delays.

Island Sun made three attempts to contact the BSP agency in Lata by phone for comment, but was unable to reach a representative as the branch was busy each time.

Enquiries have also been sent to BSP head office and the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI), with responses pending at time of publication.

Stimach is appealing to shipping companies operating in Temotu to deposit a portion of freight payments collected in cash with the BSP agency in Lata before departing, so that money remains in circulation locally.

She is also calling on BSP, CBSI, provincial and national leaders, and shipping operators to work together on long-term solutions, including expanded EFTPOS access and mobile banking, to reduce the province’s dependence on physical cash. Stimach has indicated she is open to further discussion with any interested stakeholders on possible solutions, and can be reached through Island Sun.

“Cash is still the lifeline of our economy here.

“When there is no cash, business slows, work stalls, livelihoods suffer, and everyone feels it. Temotu deserves a financial system that works for its people. If anyone has workable solutions, please share them — but let’s keep this a call for collaboration, not blame,” she said.

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164 new registered nurses ready to serve

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BY DOUGLAS VAHIA

A total of 164 new registered nurses are set to join the Solomon Islands health workforce after having completed their Supervised Practice Programme (SPP) probation.

Speaking as guest of honour at the 2026 Nursing Registration Ceremony held at St Barnabas Cathedral yesterday, Minister of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), Morris Toiraena challenged them to lead with compassion, serve with integrity, and never lose sight of patients at the heart of every shift.

Addressing the nurses under this year’s theme ‘Our Nurses, Our Future, Empowered Nurses Lives’, he stressed on the critical role nurses play to strengthen the nation’s health system and improve the lives of individuals, families and communities.

Toiraena urged the nurses to serve with humility, dedication and respect, particularly in rural and remote communities, where their work can make a significant difference in people’s lives.

He also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to achieve universal health coverage by investing in a strong and capable health workforce, noting that nurses remain the backbone of healthcare delivery throughout the country.

Speaking to the Island Sun yesterday, newly registered nurse Jean Poloso said she was extremely happy and excited about her accomplishment, and looks forward to serve with compassion.

“Out of every hardworking effort, my parents’ support and the struggles I faced during my probation, this is now a breakthrough for me. I am so thankful and proud to become a registered nurse,” Poloso said.

Toiraena concluded by congratulating the newly registered nurses, saying that they are now an important part of the country’s vision to build an equitable, sustainable and people-centred health system.

Photo credit: Jean Poloso

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CBSI, Australia partner to support open payment through QR project

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BY CHARLES STENNETT

The Central Bank of Solomon Islands, (CBSI) and the Australian government have partnered to formally announce the commencement of the development of a Unified Quick Response, QR Code Standard Project, following the endorsement of Phase 2 of the initiative.

The Project’s objective is to establish a single, nationally recognized QR code standard that enables consumers and businesses to seamlessly make and receive payments using a standardized QR code, improving user experience for merchants and customers.

A statement from CBSI said the commencement of the project is an important milestone in creating an interoperable retail payment infrastructure for Solomon Islands.

This reflects the strong support of key stakeholders – including CBSI, financial institutions, other financial service providers, the Solomon Islands Government and the private sector – and their shared confidence in the project’s potential to strengthen the country’s digital payments ecosystem.

Speaking during the announcement ceremony, CBSI Governor Dr Luke Forau acknowledged Australia’s support.

“I would like to thank the Australian Government for the partnership and technical assistance in ensuring the project’s technical readiness, stakeholder collaboration and engagement to move the project forward,” Mr Forau said.

He also thanked stakeholders for their confidence, while emphasizing that the achievement of successive phases will rely on sustained collaboration between a wide range of stakeholders, including commercial banks, mobile money operators, payment service providers, private sector, and relevant government agencies.

In support of the initiative, Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner, Andrew Schloeffel emphasised the importance of the project.

“Supporting a common language across banks, mobile money and payment providers is part of Australia’s commitment to supporting inclusive economic growth, helping speed up payments, reduce queues and make everyday transactions easier in Solomon Islands.

“The Australian Government is pleased to support this initiative, with its commencement representing a critical juncture for interoperable digital payments,” Mr Schloeffel said.

According to CBSI, Phase 2 of Solomon Islands’ unified QR code will include the co-development of technical standards and business rules with key stakeholders in the financial sector.

Photo credit: CBSI

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NEW ROAD DAMAGE

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-MID calls out careless behaviour by contractor damaging asphalt at Tandai, West Honiara

-SICCI reinforces call, reminding private sector and public on importance of new road as national asset

BY IRWIN ANGIKI

Honiara’s new road has not been officially handed over but it has already received damage at a segment along Tandai, West Honiara.

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) and peak body of the private sector, SICCI, have both spoken out against this careless behaviour, which was a contributing factor to the degradation of Honiara’s old roads.

MID expressed concern yesterday in a statement over the careless use of heavy machinery by a private construction group, resulting in damage to a newly sealed section of the Tandai Highway.

The Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) reinforced this by calling on ‘all businesses, contractors and operators to exercise greater responsibility and duty of care when using public infrastructure’.

The incident occurred on June 26 at 5:30pm MID said when an excavator was unloaded in front of the Tandai Hotel en route to a construction site within its premises.

Engineers’ assessments found out that the excavator’s tracks caused chain-mark impressions and fractures on the new asphalt, MID said.

“The damage included surface scratches and asphalt twisting, exposing underlying layers at depths of 3 to 7 millimeters.

“These fractures will weaken the pavement, increase water infiltration, and lead to future defects like cracking, deformation, and potholes,” the MID statement said.

MID could not disclose the identity of the contractor at this time, with discussions underway between the MID and the responsible party over repair costs, MID spokesperson told Island Sun last night.

MID Acting Permanent Secretary Mike Qaqara said the ministry will carry out further assessment for the repair cost and deal with the developer and contractor who are held responsible for the damage, the MID statement said.

“This is pure negligence and poor operational practices by this group.

“Contractors, developers, and heavy machinery operators have a responsibility to ensure their machinery is transported and operated in a manner that protects public assets.

“We will enforce penalties to protect public investments and deter similar incidents in the future.

“Protecting public infrastructure is a shared responsibility,” Mr Qaqara said.

This project is a big investment by the Solomon Islands government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the Land and Maritime Connectivity Project (LMCP) with the ultimate goal of improving and modernising our national road network, the MID statement said.

Meanwhile, SICCI reminded members of the private sector and public that the newly improved Honiara main highway roads are important national assets.

“They support the movement of goods, workers, customers and services, and contribute to Honiara’s role as the country’s main commercial, logistics, import and export hub.

“SICCI therefore calls on private sector businesses, particularly those operating in the construction, logging, transport and heavy machinery sectors, to comply with Solomon Islands Government requirements and ensure that machinery, equipment and heavy goods are transported and operated in a safe and responsible manner.

“This includes the use of proper loading platforms, protective mats, safeguards and other appropriate measures when moving tracked machinery or heavy equipment on public roads.

“SICCI also encourages contractors, developers and operators to strengthen internal procedures, supervision and compliance systems to ensure that public roads and other infrastructure are not damaged through negligence or poor operational practices,” a SICCI statement yesterday said.

For many years before the improvement projects of Honiara’s highway roads began, SICCI was one of the voices repeatedly calling and advocating for improved roads, bridges and transport connectivity.

This is “because quality infrastructure directly supports private sector growth, reduces the cost of doing business, improves access to markets and strengthens Solomon Islands’ import and export systems”, the SICCI statement said.

Photo credit: MID

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HONIARA SWEEPS 800M

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Students lead the charge as capital dominates middle-distance final

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Honiara stamped its authority on the athletics track on Tuesday after completing a clean sweep of the men’s 800 metres final at the Solomon Games, claiming gold, silver and bronze at the KG East End Sports Precinct.

Lawrence Samani led the charge to win gold in a time of 2:05.38, ahead of teammates Leslie Silas (2:05.63) and Hamuel Rara (2:06.36), capping a dominant performance by Team Honiara in one of the Games’ showcase middle-distance events.

Competing in his first Solomon Games, Samani described the victory as a memorable milestone.

“It means a lot to me because it’s my first time competing at the Solomon Games. I really enjoyed the experience, and winning the gold medal makes it even more special,” Samani said.

The young athlete credited his success to months of preparation under the guidance of his brother, Steven, who designed his training programme specifically for the 800 metres.

“During training, my brother Steven always prepared me for the 800 metres. We followed an 800-metre programme, and today I was able to achieve my goal,” he said.

Samani said patience was key to his race strategy.

“I waited until the final lap before increasing my pace. During the last 200 metres, my mind was completely focused on winning the gold medal,” he said.

He dedicated the achievement to his family, particularly his brother, for the support throughout his preparation.

Honiara Athletics Team Manager Eric Sitea said the one-two-three finish reflected the commitment shown by the athletes throughout their preparations.

“As the coach and team manager, I’m very proud. More than six provinces competed, and Honiara managed to finish first, second and third. It is a great achievement for our team,” Sitea said.

He said the success was built on months of disciplined training and hard work.

“The result came through a lot of hard work and dedicated training. The athletes worked very hard, and today’s performance reflects that effort,” he said.

Sitea revealed that most members of the Honiara athletics squad are students selected on merit during the school holiday period.

“Most of them are students. We selected them based on their performances and times to represent Honiara,” he said.

Looking ahead, Sitea expressed confidence that Honiara could continue its winning momentum in the sprint events.

“I’m confident we can also perform well in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres over the next few days. Hopefully, we can win more gold medals,” he said.

Athletics is one of seven sports contested at the 2026 Solomon Games currently underway in Honiara.

Competition continues throughout the week at the KG East End Sports Precinct, with athletes from seven participating provinces and Honiara City Council vying for medals across track and field events.

Photo credit: Richard Menanopo

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Malaita strikes gold

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Women’s javelin success highlights province’s growing athletics programme

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Malaita Province celebrated a memorable start to its athletics campaign after securing both the gold and silver medals in the women’s javelin competition at the Solomon Games on Tuesday.

Gloria Musuota claimed the gold medal with a winning throw of 26.64 metres, while teammate Santy Kako finished second with 22.12 metres to complete an impressive one-two finish for the province. Western Province’s Lolita Isa took bronze with 21.29 metres.

Although she settled for silver, Kako said the result exceeded the team’s expectations.

“We came mainly to gain experience. We didn’t even go through proper trials before coming. Most of us are competing at the Solomon Games for the first time, so we’re very happy that Malaita managed to win the gold medal and also take another medal,” Kako said.

She said the athletes had little time to prepare after being called into the team.

“I didn’t really prepare. I was called up at short notice to come and compete in these Games,” she said.

Kako encourages more young people in Malaita to become involved in sport.

“I want to encourage young men and women to take part in sports so they can compete in future Games, enjoy the experience, get to know one another and support each other,” she said.

Malaita Athletics President Benjamin Dausabea welcomed the province’s one-two finish but believes there is still plenty of room for improvement.

“I’m pleased with what the athletes achieved, especially finishing first and second, but I can also see areas where we still need to improve,” Dausabea said.

He said access to proper equipment remains one of the biggest challenges facing athletics development in the province.

“We need better equipment, particularly the correct-weight implements for women’s training. The equipment we use during training is not always the correct weight, so that’s an area we need to improve,” he said.

Despite those challenges, Dausabea said Malaita has a strong foundation of talented athletes capable of competing at a high level.

“Malaita has many talented athletes. Some have won medals before and some have represented Solomon Islands overseas,” he said.

He also acknowledges the support provided by families and supporters in helping the team to attend the Games.

“I’d like to thank all the parents, relatives, friends and supporters who helped us. Many of our athletes are students or working people, and their families have supported them with transport and other expenses. We really appreciate everyone who has helped us get here,” he said.

The women’s javelin was among several field events contested on the opening day of athletics competition at the KG East End Sports Precinct.

Athletics forms part of the seven sporting codes featured in this year’s Solomon Games, with competition continuing throughout the week as provinces battle for medals and overall honours.

Photo credit: Richard Menanopo

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FINAL REMATCH

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Defending champions Auckland United edge Tafea to set up third straight OFC Women’s Champions League final against PNG’s Hekari Women FC

[Published on Wednesday, 8 July, 2026]

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

The stage is now set for another trans-Tasman showdown in Honiara after defending champions Auckland United FC booked their place in the OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 final with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Vanuatu’s Tafea FC in Tuesday’s second semi-final at the National Stadium in Honiara.

According to an OFC Media match report, the New Zealand champions had to overcome a resilient Tafea outfit before second-half goals from Charley March and Olivia Ingham secured their place in a third consecutive OFC Women’s Champions League final, where they will once again meet Papua New Guinea’s Hekari Women FC on Friday.

The report said Auckland United controlled much of the opening half but struggled to convert their dominance into goals as Tafea goalkeeper Amelia Reddy produced a string of outstanding saves to frustrate the tournament favourites.

Despite scoring 18 goals during the group stage, Auckland United found chances difficult to finish, with Aniela Jensen missing an open goal while Charley March also sent an effort wide after connecting with a cross from captain Talisha Green.

“Tafea themselves offered a couple of glimpses of their potential on the counterattack with Leimata Simon up top but were otherwise well organised defensively to keep Auckland United scoreless at the break,” the OFC Media report stated.

The breakthrough finally arrived three minutes after halftime when March’s delivery from the left flank caught Reddy off her line and found the back of the net to give Auckland United the lead.

Only seven minutes later, Olivia Ingham doubled the advantage, calmly finishing Siobhan Edwards’ accurate cross to register her fourth goal of the tournament.

Tafea refused to surrender and mounted a late fightback through Nettie Kalsau, whose well-taken strike in the 87th minute reduced the deficit and set up a tense finish.

“There were some nerves for Auckland when seven minutes were scheduled for second-half stoppage time, but the New Zealand representatives saw out the remainder of the contest to take a big step towards winning a third consecutive OFC Women’s Champions League title,” the report said.

Earlier in the day, Hekari Women FC secured the first place in Friday’s final after defeating Cook Islands side Puaikura FC 1-0 in the opening semi-final. Nenny Elipas scored the decisive goal in the 86th minute to end Puaikura’s spirited resistance and send the Papua New Guinea champions into their third successive final.

Friday’s championship match at Lawson Tama Stadium will produce a familiar contest, with Auckland United and Hekari Women FC meeting in the OFC Women’s Champions League final for the third consecutive edition.

The OFC Women’s Champions League 2026 has been hosted in Honiara over the past two weeks, bringing together the region’s top women’s clubs.

The tournament began with six teams before narrowing to four semi-finalists, with Auckland United chasing a third straight continental title while Hekari Women FC continue their pursuit of a first championship after finishing runners-up in each of the previous three editions.

Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek

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Guadalcanal fighter overcomes national squad opponent to claim men’s under-54kg title

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[Published on Wednesday, 8 July, 2026]

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

Guadalcanal Province’s Ivan Tome captured the men’s under-54kg Taekwondo gold medal after defeating Honiara’s Marcus Jackson in the final at the National Aquatic Centre in Honiara on Tuesday.

The victory capped an impressive campaign for Tome, who advanced to the championship bout after overcoming Makira Province’s Junior Fred in the semi-final before producing a composed performance to claim the title.

Despite coming up against an opponent with national squad experience, Tome remained composed to secure the title and add another gold medal to Guadalcanal Province’s tally.

“I feel happy and proud of what I achieved,” Tome said shortly after the final.

He described the championship bout as his toughest contest of the day.

“My opponent has already been in the national squad, but I just wanted to stay calm and fight smoothly. My aim was simply to perform well and win,” he said.

The gold medallist credited years of preparation and the guidance of his coach for helping him reach the top of the podium.

“I have been preparing for this tournament for three to four years.

“I learned a lot from this tournament. At first, I was a little weak in some of the previous games I played, but our coach really supported me during training and leading up to this tournament. I was also a bit nervous because of the game I played yesterday, but overall, I learned a lot,” he said.

Coach Isaac Pat Myrie praised not only Tome’s achievement but also the performances of the entire Team Guadalcanal squad.

“I am really happy with the athletes’ performances, especially those who won medals, including our gold medallist Ivan.

“Even those who lost their matches performed well. I am really happy and satisfied with the overall performance,” he said.

Myrie said the coaching team knew Jackson’s fighting style before the final and adjusted their approach accordingly.

“We already knew his opponent and were familiar with his fighting style. My advice to Ivan was to use his technical skills to counter his opponent’s strongest attacks,” he explained.

The coach believes the young gold medallist has the potential to achieve even greater success if given more opportunities to train and compete.

“Ivan is a talented young athlete with great potential. If he is given more time to train and more opportunities to compete in tournaments, I believe he will become an even better athlete.”

Coach Isaac Pat Myrie said the team’s focus now shifts to developing young athletes like Tome for next year’s South Pacific Games and future international competitions.

“We are building young athletes like Ivan so they can earn places in the national squad and represent Solomon Islands at the South Pacific Games, Oceania championships and beyond,” he said.

The Taekwondo competition attracted almost a hundred people including athletes, coaches, officials and supporters to the National Aquatic Centre, creating one of the liveliest atmospheres of the Solomon Games.

Friends and family members packed the venue as loud cheers echoed around the arena throughout the afternoon, adding to the excitement of every bout contested on the mats.

Photo credit: Richard Menanopo

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