Opening ceremony set for Friday as organisers target 16 teams for the inter-faculty competition at Kukum Campus

BY RICHARD MENANOPO

The Solomon Islands National University (SINU) Sports League 2026 Soccer Competition is set to get underway this weekend, with organisers finalising registrations ahead of the opening ceremony on Friday.

Sports Coordinator William Tuhaika said the competition will officially open on Friday before matches kick off on Saturday, June 6, at the SINU Kukum Campus field.

“We will have the opening on Friday and games will start on Saturday. Preparations are progressing well and we are looking forward to getting the competition underway,” Tuhaika said.

He said organisers are considering extending the registration deadline until Thursday this week to allow remaining faculties to complete their team registrations before the official opening.

“Some faculty teams are yet to submit their registrations, so we may extend the deadline until Thursday to give them an opportunity to be part of the competition,” he said.

According to Tuhaika, the inter-faculty tournament is expected to feature around 16 teams, including male and female teams representing various faculties, an overseas students’ team largely made up of students from Vanuatu, and a staff team.

“It is an inter-faculty soccer competition. Each faculty is expected to have two boys’ teams and one girls’ team. We will also have a team representing overseas students, mainly from Vanuatu, as well as a staff team,” he explained.

Matches will be played under a pool format, with teams divided into two groups where each side will play against the others within their respective pools before advancing to the next stage of the competition.

Tuhaika said the university is using the competition as a platform to revive organised sporting activities among students following the transition from the former Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE) to SINU.

“Since the transition from SICHE to SINU, there has not been a major sports event of this nature. During the SICHE days, sports activities were very active, and now the university is working towards rebuilding that culture,” he said.

He added that SINU is aiming to establish and strengthen its own sports programmes while creating pathways for students to engage with national high-performance programmes through the National Sports Council (NSC) and the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS).

“The vision is for the university to run and manage its own sports programmes and eventually build stronger links with high-performance training opportunities. This will contribute positively to students’ health, social wellbeing and even their academic learning,” Tuhaika said.

Tuhaika said the response from students and faculties has been encouraging, with most teams having registered before the official call for registrations was announced.

“Most of the teams were already organised and registered before the public announcement. They are now eagerly waiting for the competition to start, and we are committed to making it happen this weekend,” he said.

The SINU Sports League 2026 Soccer Competition is supported by the Solomon Islands National University Students Association (SINUSA). Current registrations stand at 15 teams, with organisers seeking a small number of additional teams from several faculties and staff categories to complete the competition lineup ahead of the opening ceremony this Friday.

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Federal System Bill to be tabled in parliament this year – PM Wale tells Western province Premier Billy Veo

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PRIME Minister Matthew Wale says the Government for Reform, Empowerment, Accountability and Transformation (GREAT) is committed to bringing the proposed federal system bill before Parliament later this year.

Speaking during discussions with Western Province Premier Billy Veo last week, Wale said the government will revisit the federal system proposal and aims to table the legislation during the November or December sitting of Parliament.

“I know you always talk about the Federal Government every time.

“We will table the bill in Parliament later this year. If the draft is complete, we want to do it before the end of the year, maybe during the November or December sitting,” he said.

Wale said provincial governments will play an important role in the process and will be involved in determining the most suitable governance system for the country.

He said any move towards a federal system must be guided by extensive consultation, research and careful consideration to ensure it serves the interests of Solomon Islanders.

“We can call it a state government, federal system or provincial government, but the key thing is service.

“If we call it a federal government only to give more power to ourselves to load over our people, then we will have missed that opportunity.

“What we are looking for is whatever we call it; it must deliver services to our people most efficiently. We do not want a system that is burdensome, too expensive and where all the funds are swallowed by administrative portfolios,” Wale said.

The Prime Minister said such considerations must be thoroughly examined to determine whether a federal system is the best option for the country.

He said the formal process towards implementing a federal system is expected to commence in early 2027.

Veo welcomed the assurance from the Prime Minister and said the Western Provincial Government looks forward to working closely with the national government on the matter.

He said his government will prepare a communiqué for the new government to sign.

“My executive will visit you sometime next month and we will bring the communiqué with us for your government to sign.

“I must say that the ambition of state government will also be included in the communiqué,” Veo said.

The proposed federal system has long been a key aspiration for Western Province and other provinces seeking greater autonomy and improved service delivery at the provincial level.

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BY TONY IROGA

A young man has sustained severe injuries following a violent confrontation between landowners and illegal miners in Central Guadalcanal last month.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) has launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred on May 16 at Vaturi Halaisi village, about five kilometres from Pit 4 of the Gold Ridge mining site.

Police Commissioner Ian Vaevaso told a media conference last Thursday that the violence was triggered by an alleged house break-in and theft.

According to police reports, a young man from southeast Guadalcanal allegedly broke into a house in Vaturi Halaisi and stole cash and traditional valuables.

The stolen items reportedly included $55,000 in cash and 23 shell money valuables.

Commissioner Vaevaso said the alleged theft led to a confrontation between local landowners and illegal miners operating in the area.

“The alleged theft triggered an immediate and volatile clash between local landowners and illegal miners operating in the area. During the ensuing conflict, the suspected intruder suffered severe injuries,” he said.

“The victim is currently under investigation. There was a fight between the two parties, landowners and illegal miners, which resulted in this incident.”

Police officers stationed at Gold Ridge attended the scene shortly after the incident and commenced investigations.

Commissioner Vaevaso said police have identified all suspects believed to have been involved in the violence and appealed for them to surrender voluntarily.

“All suspects have been identified by police. I appeal to them to surrender so that police can deal with this matter appropriately,” he said.

He confirmed that a reconciliation ceremony had recently been conducted between the landowners and illegal miners in an effort to restore peace and prevent further violence.

However, Commissioner Vaevaso stressed that customary reconciliation does not replace the criminal justice process.

“Reconciliation has been done recently to ensure that there is peace between the parties involved. I appeal to both parties to refrain from taking further action and allow police to deal with this matter,” he said.

Police continue to monitor the situation closely while investigations remain ongoing.

Commissioner Vaevaso also thanked the media for assisting police in informing the public through news reporting and awareness stories.

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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

THE Government for Reform, Empowerment, Accountability and Transformation (GREAT) has pledged to fast-track the long-awaited Revenue Sharing Bill, a move aimed at strengthening provincial autonomy and ensuring a fairer distribution of national resources.

Prime Minister Matthew Wale made the commitment during a meeting with Western Province Premier Billy Veo last week.

He said the government is determined to address long-standing concerns surrounding revenue sharing between the national government and the provinces.

Wale said progress on the bill will depend largely on the technical capacity of the responsible ministry and the ability of the Ministry of Finance to provide the necessary budgetary support for its implementation.

“We are still manageable because capacity of provinces is still thin. Funds will come but it will come with responsibility and functionality in terms of human resources and public service,” he said.

Wale emphasized that one of the major challenges will be ensuring that public servants are adequately distributed across the provinces to support the administration of revenue-sharing arrangements.

He said the successful implementation of the bill will require significant recruitment and capacity-building efforts within provincial governments to guarantee transparency, accountability and effective service delivery.

“It will take public service to be distributed across the nine provinces; the size of the public service will become huge and consume resources that should be part of service delivery.

“These are the things that we will weigh. I have an open-door policy—come and let’s discuss this in a genuine and sincere way to see what is best for this country and for our people,” Wale said.

He said the arrangement must serve the interests of citizens rather than becoming a tool for political gain.

The concept of a revenue-sharing framework is not new.

Island Sun understands that the proposal was first formally raised in Parliament in 2016 by former Member of Parliament, Derek Sikua.

Through Question No. 72 of Parliament Business, Sikua called on the then Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening to establish a revenue-sharing scheme between the Solomon Islands Government and provincial governments.

Provincial leaders have consistently advocated for the legislation, arguing that the current system limits the ability of provinces to make independent development decisions and effectively manage their own resources.

Successive governments have pursued the proposal without achieving a breakthrough.

However, the GREAT Government now says it is committed to finally delivering on the long-standing aspiration of provincial leaders and communities across the country.

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BY NED GAGAHE

A new climate insurance scheme is providing financial relief to rural Solomon Islanders, with dozens of policyholders receiving payouts after heavy rainfall triggered the country’s first parametric microinsurance product.

Around 35 policyholders received a total of SBD$8,800 through TrigaCash, marking the first-ever parametric microinsurance payout in Solomon Islands.

Speaking during a press conference last Friday, Central Bank Governor Dr Luke Forau said the milestone demonstrated that innovative financial solutions can help vulnerable communities respond to climate shocks.

“The true significance is not the amount. It is the proof that the system works,” Dr Forau said.

“The trigger was met, the data was verified, payments were processed through digital channels, and funds reached people quickly when they needed them most.”

Launched last year, TrigaCash automatically releases payments when predetermined weather thresholds are reached, eliminating the need for lengthy claims assessments.

Dr Forau said some policyholders received multiple payouts after repeated rainfall events activated the product more than once.

He described the successful rollout as a breakthrough for both climate resilience and financial inclusion.

“Financial inclusion today must also mean protection, where ordinary people have access to financial products that help them manage the real risks they face,” he said.

The Central Bank supported the development of the product through its regulatory sandbox, allowing it to be tested under close oversight and consumer protection safeguards.

Dr Forau acknowledged the support of development partners, including UNCDF, UNDP, Trans Pacific Assurance, SINPF’s YouSave scheme, M-SELEN, World Vision, and the governments of New Zealand and Australia.

He said the scheme is specifically benefiting informal sector workers, many of whom have limited access to formal insurance services.

“Every TrigaCash policyholder is a YouSave member. This means the product is reaching informal sector workers and people most exposed to climate shocks,” he said.

While welcoming the early success, Dr Forau stressed that TrigaCash remains a pilot programme and will continue to be monitored to ensure it remains effective and beneficial for policyholders.

“The first payouts are an important beginning,” he said.

“They tell us that climate resilience and financial inclusion now belong together.”

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BY TONY IROGA

Central Province Premier Kenneth Sagupari has acknowledged that the province currently lacks specific policies to address gender-based violence (GBV), describing the gap as a major governance challenge that must be addressed.

Speaking following a four-day gender-based violence workshop in Honiara last week, Premier Sagupari said the provincial government is now committed to developing policies and frameworks aimed at protecting women and girls.

“Honestly speaking, we don’t have policies in place in the government for gender-based violence apart from what we currently have with the women’s programme and related activities,” Premier Sagupari said.

He said the workshop had provided valuable knowledge and practical guidance that provincial leaders could use to strengthen support systems for women and girls in Central Province.

“After this workshop, we have gained a lot of knowledge that we can take back and use to put proper policies and frameworks in place and improve the way we work with women in our province,” he said.

Premier Sagupari said one of the key lessons from the workshop was a deeper understanding of the causes of gender-based violence and the inequalities that continue to affect women.

“One of the main things that I have learned is the root causes of gender-based violence and the unequal treatment between men and women,” he said.

The Premier noted that discussions during the workshop highlighted the role of power imbalances and long-standing social structures in contributing to violence.

“We learned that gender-based violence is closely linked to power and control. It is part of a patriarchal system that has been passed down from generation to generation,” he said.

Premier Sagupari said gender inequality continues to affect communities across the country and cuts across culture, tradition and religion.

“Gender issues impact humanity and influence many aspects of society. They affect our culture, traditions and even our beliefs,” he said.

The workshop brought together provincial leaders and stakeholders to examine the social and cultural drivers of gender-based violence and discuss strategies for prevention and response.

Premier Sagupari also acknowledged the significant role women play in society and called for greater recognition of their contributions.

“Our women deserve respect for the roles they play in society. In many cases, women carry more responsibilities than men, yet they often receive fewer opportunities and privileges,” he said.

He described this imbalance as unfair and said it remains one of the challenges that communities must address.

Despite the difficulties involved in changing long-established attitudes and practices, Premier Sagupari expressed confidence that progress can be achieved through collective action.

“It is a challenge for us today, but nothing is impossible. We can work together to address it,” he said.

The Premier revealed that the provincial government plans to begin drafting policy directives and frameworks on gender-based violence upon returning to the province.

He said the proposed measures would be designed to reach communities throughout Central Province and strengthen support for women and girls at all levels of local governance.

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BY LORETTA B. MANELE

IN SINGAPORE

The 23rd International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue, also known as the Asia Security Summit, concluded in Singapore on Sunday after three days of discussions on regional and global security challenges.

Held from May 29 to 31 at the Shangri-La Hotel, the annual summit brought together defence ministers, military leaders, policymakers, academics, business representatives and media personnel from across the Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe and the Middle East.

According to the IISS, the Shangri-La Dialogue is regarded as Asia’s premier defence summit, providing a platform for leaders to debate pressing security issues and engage in bilateral discussions aimed at strengthening regional cooperation.

This year’s summit featured a range of plenary sessions focusing on key security and strategic issues affecting the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

Among the topics discussed were United States strategy for peace in the Pacific, priorities within Asia’s shifting strategic landscape, maritime security challenges, managing regional tensions amid global competition, and evolving security partnerships in an increasingly fragmented world.

Also held alongside the summit was the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue Young Leaders Programme, which brought together 40 emerging leaders from government agencies, think tanks and media organisations.

Participants in the programme attended specialised sessions and also took part in selected summit plenary discussions, where they had opportunities to hear directly from senior leaders and engage in question-and-answer sessions on regional security matters.

On Saturday evening, the young leaders attended a reception hosted at the Australian High Commissioner’s residence in Singapore.

The Young Leaders Programme has been supported by the governments of Australia and Singapore over the years.

While all summit plenary sessions were conducted on the record, discussions held under the Young Leaders Programme were conducted under off-the-record arrangements to encourage open dialogue and engagement among participants.

The annual dialogue remains one of the most influential security forums in the Asia-Pacific region, providing a platform for governments and stakeholders to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities for cooperation.

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