Telekom backs Solomon Kings community fun day as fans rally behind team ahead of OFC Pro League Round 4
BY RICHARD MENANOPO
Hundreds of football fans, children and families filled Lawson Tama Stadium yesterday as Solomon Kings FC hosted a lively community fun day to strengthen the bond between the club and its supporters ahead of Round 4 of the OFC Pro League.
The event, supported by telecommunications company Our Telekom, created an opportunity for supporters to meet the players and coaching staff following the team’s return to home ground before the next round of matches kicks off on March 14.
Speaking during the event, Our Telekom representative Sean Hiele said the company stepped in to support the initiative to help bring fans closer to the club.
“The reason why Our Telekom came to support this event was to provide an opportunity for fans to interact with the club – the Solomon Kings Football Club”, Hiele said.
He acknowledged Solomon Ports as the club’s major sponsor, saying Telekom’s role was to support the community engagement side of the program.
“Solomon Ports is the major sponsor and we really acknowledge that, but when the club and sponsors reached out to us, we said ‘why not’. Telekom has been supporting football for many years and this is another way we can help”, he said.
Hiele said initiatives like the fun day play an important role in building the club’s fan base as the team prepares for upcoming matches.
“Our boys are now back on home ground and they really need the presence of their fans here in Solomon Islands to support and back them up.
“We hope today is the starting phase where the fan base continues to grow as we enter circuit four of the competition,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of club merchandise in strengthening supporter identity and culture.
“Merchandising is very important because fans can wear the club’s identity. When the team plays and the fans wear the merchandise, they connect through the Solomon Kings brand”, he said.
Hiele also reminds supporters that match tickets for the upcoming OFC Pro League games will be available exclusively through Telekom’s M-Selen platform.
“To access the matches from March 14, supporters will have to purchase tickets exclusively through M-Selen”, he added.
Meanwhile, fellow Telekom representative Alex Waimora said the company saw the fun day as a way of supporting the community side of the club’s development.
“We have to give thanks to Solomon Ports for being the major sponsor because without them we would not have a professional team.
“For us at Telekom, we felt that we should come in and support the community base, especially when the Kings Army supporters group and the club planned this event,” he said.
He said the turnout of families and young fans showed the positive impact the initiative is already having.
“It’s really encouraging to see children, parents and families coming out to meet the team. It gives the community the opportunity to connect with the Solomon Kings players”, Waimora said.
Alex Waimora also explained that the newly established Kings Army supporters group aims to organize fans into a unified support base for the club.
“Kings Army is basically an arm meant to organize supporters so they can support the team in a constructive way and in a manner that aligns with the club”,
“The purpose is to bring all supporters together with one aim – to raise strong support behind Solomon Kings FC,” he said.
He said the group currently has around 400 to 500 members, with more supporters encouraged to join as the team prepares for upcoming international fixtures.
“We have a designated area at the stadium where fans can come together, chant and give their best support to the team”, he said.
Membership registration for the Kings Army is currently open, with members receiving merchandise and other potential benefits, including opportunities to support the team during overseas matches.
Saturday’s community fun day featured interactive activities, photo opportunities with players, merchandise sales and supporter registration booths.
With Round 4 of the OFC Pro League fast approaching, organizers hope the initiative will help build a stronger home crowd presence when Solomon Kings FC returns to competitive action on March 14.
Photo credit: Tony Iroga
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