By Taromane Martin
THE Honiara Football Association (HFA) has confirmed that the 2018 Mayor’s Cup seven-a-side soccer competitions will start tomorrow.
A statement from HFA yesterday said their executive see this as a marketing opportunity thus has jumped on board to celebrate the 40th Independence Day celebrations.
““Our Provincial Government, Honiara City Council (HCC) has partnered and engaged HFA to organize the 2018 MAYOR’S CUP starting Wednesday 4th July this week to Sunday 8th July 2018,” HFA said.
“This is to celebrate the 40th Independence anniversary of the country with a seven-a-side tournament that will engage youths within the HCC wards to participate.
“HFA sees this as a marketing opportunity to partner with the government and other business stakeholders and therefore commits its resources to help organize this event.
“The 2018 Mayor’s Cup comprises of four teams per ward from the 12 wards within HCC, thus a total of 48 teams.
The teams are drawn randomly into 12 pools where top 2 winners per pool progress further to the knock-out stages.
“The championship will eventually end up with 4 winners who will receive cash prizes with medals and to crown the 2018 Mayor’s Cup champion.
“HFA club players may be part of these ward teams and are therefore encouraged to consult your ward councillors in order to be registered in one of the four teams within your ward.
“HFA clubs are therefore reminded that because of this tournament, all HFA league matches for the coming weekend will remain suspended until further notice,” the statement adds.
Meanwhile a technical meeting will take place this evening at 5pm at the HFA Head Office at the Multipurpose Hall.
“Clubs officials who are part of the wards teams are encouraged to attend this meeting to agree on the regulations.
“This will be the start of this unique tournament which is proposed to be an annual event with plans to see the following years increase with the number of teams and number of competition days. ‘
“It is our wish that in the future this tournament may also be extended to include our Melanesian brothers,” HFA said.
