BY ROMULUS HUTA
THE head of the Solomon Islands delegation to the recent Youth Olympic Games held in Argentina this month says he is more convinced that the national under-18 futsal side is one of the world’s best in the sport.
Chef De Mission Morris Maitaki shared his conviction after watching how the boys performed during the games in Buenos Aires taking on the likes of Brazil, Russia and Iran in Pool B of the futsal competition.
Maitaki, who watched all their four pool matches by cheering from the sideline, said the young futsal side was exceptional. “The outstanding performance of our Futsal team was extremely exceptional despite not winning a medal.
“We have proven to the world of futsal that we are among the best teams in the world.
“Attending to all matches of our futsal team at Technolopolise and Cenard arenas it’s the best feeling to witness our boys displaying their skills with an overwhelming support from the crowd of Argentina.
“This has proved to me our common saying that we are a little Brazil or Argentina in the Oceania,” Maitaki stressed.
The Chef De Mission believes that futsal has a very bright future ahead of them in Solomon Islands.
“I strongly believe our futsal can be a real threat in the World of futsal in the next 10 years if given the right home and proper training and adequate preparation.
“We came to the youth Olympic Games to compete knowing very well that we have nothing to compare to other nations with no proper facilities, competitions and adequate preparation unlike other countries who prepare well for this youth Olympic Games.
“However, despite all these difficulties yet our team performance have impressed and surprises many participating teams, officials, spectators and I do believe it has also impacted our young players back at home who also aspire to come this far,” Maitaki expressed.
The young kurukurus and the rest of One Team Solomon members will arrive in Honiara this afternoon.
