Football actions return to Lawson Tama this Saturday and Sunday with four matches
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Henderson Eels defender Bonnie Pride tries to go past an FC Guadalcanal player during an earlier fixture of the 2018 Telekom S-League season. . PHOTO: ROMULUS HUTA
THE Telekom S-League will resume this weekend after a month break.
Solomon Islands Football Federation Competition Manager Gabriel Riotarau confirmed yesterday that four matches will be played this Saturday and Sunday.
“Just to remind all TSL club managers and coaches that according to the Turf Manager, Rubén Oimae, after assessment on Lawson Tama ground after the OFC U16 Championship, the ground is now ready for TSL matches to resume this Saturday 29th September 2018.
“Therefore, I strongly call on all TSL clubs to be ready for this weekend,” Riotarau said.
The league went on a break after entering into its fourth weekend on Sunday 26th August.
The break was to allow the national governing football body to carry out some refurbishment work on Lawson Tama stadium’s turf and changing rooms as part of their preparation to host the recent Oceania Under-16 Championship in Honiara which finally concludes last weekend.
With four weeks gone since the start of the 2018/19 season of the TSL till the break on August 26, Henderson Eels are leading the points table after three matches.
Eels gained the advantage to go to the top of the table due to their goal difference of 9+ despite equal on seven points with Western United (+7), Solomon Warriors (+4), KOSSA (-1) and Real Kakamora (-2), respectively.
Four interesting encounters are set down for this weekend.
At 2pm this Saturday will be Solomon Warriors taking on Real Kakamora and to be followed by Marist going against KOSSA at 4pm.
Western United and FC Guadalcanal will kick off Sunday’s round of matches at 2pm while at 4pm will be Malaita Kings and Henderson Eels.
See points table below:
TSL updated table tally below as at Sunday August 26, 2018
St Lucia’s Foreign Minister shakes hands with Minister Tozaka after the signing. Photo from PMO
SOLOMON Islands and Saint Lucia have formally established diplomatic relations yesterday.
The signing of the Joint Communiqué to formalise the ties was done by the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of St Lucia, Allen Chastanet and the Solomon Islands Minister of Foreign Affairs & External Trade, Milner Tozaka, at the Permanent Mission/Embassy of Saint Lucia to the United Nations, in New York.
The establishment of diplomatic relations is part of SIDCCG’s Foreign Policy in expanding Solomon Island’s reach to the Caribbean and American region.
Minister Tozaka said both countries are already engaged actively through the United Nations, Small Islands Developing States (SIDS), Africa Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) and the Commonwealth.
However, this recent signing is expected to formalise diplomatic relationships between both countries.
Solomon Islands and St Lucia share common issues and challenges, as Small Islands developing states.
This was something both leaders have expressed and agree to assist and learn from each other.
“We share an interest in developing economies that are resilient with stand economic and environmental pressures. Therefore, formalizing of diplomatic relations also means, both countries can enhance collective effort in addressing Climate Change issues,” he said.
Both foreign ministers have also agreed to pursue opportunities particularly in the areas of tourism, transfer of knowledge, trade and culture and exchange.
Foreign Minister Tozaka signing the formal bilateral with St Lucia Foreign Minister.
FORMER Governor General and Former Member of Parliament for Ulawa/Ugi, Sir Nathanial Waena, has suggested for the Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation Bill 2018 to be taken back to the people for proper discussions.
Sir Nathanial made this statement when giving his views on the bill that is currently before the Bills and Legislation Committee (BLC) for scrutiny.
The Chairman of the Eminent Persons Advisory Committee thought that the legislation is being rushed into reaching this level of the process, but missed a lot of fundamentals that make up the governance aspect of the diverse cultures and customs of all the people of Solomon Islands.
“We are talking about the fundamentality of the existence of our people throughout this nation from Tikopia to Shortlands, from Rennell and Bellona to Sikiana in Lord Howe, and the main islands within the chain,” Sir Nathanial said.
He pointed out that laws are hanging under the constitution and therefore they must be seen to be operative and hold relevance and meaning in the spirit of the constitution.
“We are building a nation of diversity, which is a blessing because it makes Solomon Islands rich in that school,” the former GG stressed.
He added that Solomon Islanders are a people that came out from time immemorial that have their roots deeply tied to their past, “and governance”, speaking as a person from Ulawa, a small island within this nation, “cherishes the past, is enriched by the blessings of today, and holds hope for a future that is being designed constitutionally and legally”.
The statesman further stressed that as someone from a small island community, he outlined that their traditional system can be threatened by virtue of unsound laws, but can be enriched by the blessings of sound legislations.
“Our past is an inheritance of ancestral sacredness rooted in the spirit of our ancestors. We are talking about the blessings left behind by them to be enjoyed by generations both in the past, at present and into the future.
“So that this legislation in draft, must be looked at from the point of view of, does it hold the past, does it endure the present and does it points to a future of hope for prosperity and cohesive coexistence?
“Those are from my humble point of view, the fundamentals in the concepts of governance and customary land.
“Today our people enjoy the freedom of movement of existence on customary land, the rules of governance by our traditional chiefs since time immemorial, I entrench and therefore individuals that are affected by those rules, continue to enjoy harmonious coexistence.
“There is no room for inferior and superior considerations, but there is room certainly for coexistence. Do we throw it out the window or do we hold respect for it?”
Waena further added that Solomon Islands is going through very interesting time of change and the government has paid dearly for the sustenance of the work of a constitutionally review exercise.
He said Solomon Islands is a nation that has come through a volatile period of history, the ethnic tension.
“We have just come out of it, and we are focussing our minds and attention to a future of hope, how do we build that future of hope?”
He highlighted that those are some of the issues that the government needs to look at before moving the initiatives forward and questioned what the kind of Solomon Islander are being talked about.
“I noted from the media that captured a national judge and a respectable female magistrate have highlighted huge matters of concerns regarding the bill, and if these learned minds are saying something questionable and concerning in these laws, something is not right here,” he said.
He reiterated his suggestions, thinking that the government is rushing this bill, “but the question is, rushed to be taken where?”
“We are building a nation and this bill is seemingly being rushed in a time when the country is heading into a major political event.
He further highlighted that the government or the new house, should first look at sorting out matters that deal directly with the resources of the people of this country through relevant laws.
He also reiterated that this bill needs to be taken back to the people for proper discussions, and be taken to the provincial governments to look into, as elected governments of the people in the provincial level.
“I wish to say that this Traditional Governance and Customs Facilitation bill 2018 may well be a rush into a future, and therefore those of you in parliament, particularly as current custodians of the constitution, have a duty and an obligation to the people of this country, and those who have decided to become naturalised citizens of this country and those to be in the future,” he added.
This sentiment also comes as no surprise to the office of the Prime Minister, whom insiders said is fully aware of the matters connected to the Bill, but have allowed for the process to continue and looks to withdraw it on the floor of Parliament, based on the calls and recommendations, when it is brought back for deliberations.
“Because of political reasons, it had to be allowed to make the list of bills for the house, with anticipation for those on the Opposition and Independent group to call for its withdrawal, where it should then be moved to be withdrawn,” our insider explained.
There have also been great concerns surrounding the nature of its consultation phase, which many thought was not being done properly with depths, giving coverable reasons for it to be withdrawn.
Insiders agreed that the this piece of legislation is very vital for the country as a mechanism to deal with the ever pressing issue of developing customary lands, but argued that the political point scoring motives behind it has also tainted its genuine intentions, as far as the political circle is concerned.
“If it is to be put in, at least it is a fully cooked bill with the backing of the whole political circle and the people through Civil Society Organisations and other government stakeholders,” insiders added.
THE Solomon Islands Electoral Office (SIEO) reminds electorates that today, Thursday, September 27 is the final day of voter registration.
SIEO said the BVR update period which commenced on September 3, 2018, targeted new registrants who turned 18 after the 2014 Voter Registration and those who have already registered but wish to update their registration details to reflect their current place of residence.
“We hope the given period really captured new eligible voters and gave time for people to update their details.”
The electoral office said there will be no time extension, therefore those who are yet to register must visit registration teams in their constituencies before close of business today to register or update their registration details.
SIEO said the BVR update exercise have been rolled out smoothly throughout the country over the past three weeks, thus wish to thank electorates for their cooperation and patience.
“We’ve encountered few issues but that did not deter efforts to execute the exercise smoothly.
“There were concerns over transfer and the cross border issue but we have laws to punish anyone found and we’ve provided an opportunity for people to correct their registration details before close of business on Thursday [today].
“Otherwise, there is another registration phase called the Omission and Objection phase, where corrections can be made to the provisional list.
“After this BVR exercise, all the data will be retrieved and compiled after which, the provisional list will be produced.”
The provisional voter list is then pinned up at all polling stations throughout the 50 constituencies for people to check and make corrections either through omission or objection.
Any registered person on the list can challenge the provisional list or any person on the list on the following grounds; not a SI citizen, not 18 years old, not an ordinary resident in the area, not of sound mind, not the person he/she claims to be, registered more than once.
A registered person can also apply to correct his/her name if appeared to be mis-spelt or placed in a wrong polling station.
A public enquiry will follow after which the final voter list is compiled.
Below is the timeline of the subsequent registration phases that electorates need to take note of.
–SIEC PRESS
BVR Activity
Date
Number of Days
Legal Framework
Voter Registration Update
Sept 3 – Sept 27
25
Sec.16 (3) (B) & Sec 17 (1)
Retrieval of Data
Compilation
Oct 3 – Oct 23
21
Sec 18 (1) (B), Sec 19A (1)(2)
Distribution of Provisional lists
Publication of Provisional Lists
Oct 29 – Nov 4
7
Sec 18 (3) (B)
Deployment of staff to Omission/Objection sites
Omission & Objection period
Nov 7 – Nov 20
14
Sec 19 (3) (B), Sec 19 A (3)
Retrieval of Omission/Objection forms, preparation of list for public enquiry
A pamphlet containing information about the various BVR phases (circled) on a sack of rice destined to reach the most remote
eastern part of Malaita when passengers boarded a passenger boat travelling to East Malaita. Photo by Philothea Paul
THE Solomon Islands Electoral Office (SIEO) has been actively using various media platforms to communicate educational and awareness messages to electorates.
Chief Electoral Officer Moses Saitala said awareness is an important aspect to electoral activities as it enhances knowledge and understanding of electorates on electoral matters.
Mr Saitala said there were recommendations from past elections on the need for a substantially more robust voter education and awareness efforts in preparation for the 2019 National General Election.
“The Solomon Islands Electoral Office prior to the current BVR update had worked really hard and engage all effective media platforms available to get electoral messages across to electorates,” he said.
He said some of the effective awareness platforms used to disseminate electoral information included, radio advertisements, radio programs, radio service messages, TV, short videos, website, social media, text messages, distribution of posters, pamphlets and stickers, awareness talks, using religious gatherings, using the mainstream media and engaging Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to do face-to-face awareness in constituencies.
A pamphlet containing information about the various BVR phases (circled) on a sack of rice destined to reach the most remote eastern part of Malaita when passengers boarded a passenger boat travelling to East Malaita. Photo by Philothea Paul
“For radio, SIEO uses advertisements that are replaced to reflect the different BVR phases. SIEO also have a weekly radio program on SIBC every Friday 5.45pm.
“Awareness talks have also been conducted during gatherings and after Sunday Church services.
“Text messages have been programmed according to the BVR timeline inorder to blast out information in line with a particular registration phase and activities.
“The Electoral Commission also has a newly launched informative website that has all information that will answer most questions, even checking for voter registration details.
“Electorates should also look out for CSOs that are conducting voter awareness in some remote constituencies throughout the country.
“Voter information and messages will continue to be disseminated through these mediums therefore electorates should listen out.”
The Chief Electoral Officer said awareness is an expensive exercise but with the support the Australian Government, European Union and UNDP through the Strengthening the Electoral Cycle of Solomon Islands Project (SECSIP), voter education and awareness activities are able to be rolled out.
“We would like to do more to reach out to the most remote citizens but we can only go as far as where money takes us.”
Saitala said voter education and awareness will continue throughout the BVR phases and ahead of the National General Election in 2019.
“A well-informed electorate is essential to any electoral process; it enhances the quality of the election as well as the elected body and as such, it’s an essential building-block of a meaningful democracy.”
He encourages electorates to listen out and keep an eye on the mediums engaged by SIEO to disseminate voter information, in order to stay informed.
Prime Minister Hou speaking at the Malaria Summit in NY on Wednesday.
PRIME Minister Rick Houenipwela has told a high-level roundtable meeting at the UNGA that Solomon Islands has reduced the number of malaria cases over the last 24 years.
The Prime Minister said Malaria cases in Solomon Islands have decreased from a hardly believable peak of 450 per thousand in 1993, to 80 per thousand in 2017.
Houenipwela said Solomon Islands is proud of her progress which was enabled from support from the donor community.
“With this success on the ground we can now begin to dream of a different future. A dream of a future that is free of malaria.
“A dream that countries such as China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have achieved with zero malaria indigenous cases.
“A dream that the Tafea province of Vanuatu, which was declared malaria-free the first time in human history is now enjoying.
“A dream that shows what is possible. A dream showing that Solomon Islands can eliminate malaria,” he said.
The Prime Minister told the high-level summit that the Solomon Islands government has increased the level of its domestic resources to combat malaria to 12 percent of the total health sector budget.
However, he said while this is high by any standards, it is still not enough.
That said, the Prime Minister said Solomon Islands are grateful for the continued support from the Global Fund, and from Australia.
Prime Minister Houenipwela said in November this year Solomon Islands would convene a high-level meeting for its key partners and stakeholders both domestically and internationally.
He said this would also include the private sector to discuss and agree on a ‘malaria elimination roadmap’ for Solomon Islands that will achieve a ‘malaria free’ Solomon Islands by 2030.
“This malaria elimination roadmap will inform our new strategy; the level of resources and breadth of partnership that will be needed to eradicate malaria from our shores forever,” he said.
Prime Minister Houenipwela said his government considers the resources applied to help eliminate malaria from its domestic budget as well as from our development partners as an investment and not a cost.
“It is an investment in the future prosperity of my nation’s children and people. In eradicating malaria, we will save millions of dollars in health care costs that can be redirected to address other important priorities of government including in health to benefit the country’s young population.
“Investment to eliminate malaria has the potential to potential to transform our economic development aspirations,” he said.
The Pacific Games which Solomon Islands is hosting in 2023 will cost us up to $2 billion (about USD250 million).
Officials were told last Friday that facilities including the Games Village would cost between $1.5 billion to $2 billion (about USD250 million), Island Sun was told earlier this week.
The funding proposal will be presented initially to Government Caucus and later to Cabinet for its final blessing.
“Once Caucus decision is endorsed by Cabinet, the final go-ahead will be given for design work to begin,” one official told Island Sun.
This will be followed by the project being put on public tender.
The fact that Honiara has fallen behind in payments to foreign firms undertaking projects in Solomon Islands is already troubling enough for the government.
Sources said the Government owes China’s two State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) firms – China Harbour and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) – more than $30 million in combined contract debts.
Such a dilemma has the potential to frighten off international companies bidding for the Games Village Project, given its size and cost.
The all-encompassing plan is to convert the entire lower Panatina land owned by the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) into the Games Village. Facilities for all field events including running tracks for the sporting bonanza are being shared by Panatina Campus and Kukum Campus nearby.
Thousands of sports men and women from all over the Pacific are expected in Honiara for the Games.
The plan also includes conversion of the King George VI soccer pitch into a National Stadium in a joint development with the National Sports Academy training field nearby.
Taiwan has indicated funding the National Stadium although it has not indicated how much Taipei is investing in the development.
Officials say the Stadium will have up to 20,000 seating capacity at any one time. It is understood the Government has received the design for the National Stadium from Taiwan.
“The government will be studying the design plan before the project, expected to cost around SBD270 million, is put on tender in Taiwan,” one official told Island Sun.
At least two Taiwanese companies are vying for the contract to build what is being billed to be an all-weather Stadium, built to international sporting standards.
It is not clear whether the cost of the National Stadium is included in the SBD2 billion price tag for the Games.
Kukum Campus land will also be converted, including the seafront of the Marine School at Ranadi for a number of water sports events during the course of the Games.
It is understood that all the SINU land has been secured by the 2023 Games Committee, chaired by the Member of Parliament for East Fataleka, Steve Abana.
The deal, according to some, is that SINU and KG VI will take possession of all the facilities including buildings on their land once the Games are over.
“The idea is to kill two birds with one stone,” one government official said.
King George Sixers Godfrey Toramo tries to go past a USP Islander player during their semi final match
on Tuesday. Sixers won.
D-Fenders crowned 3×3 champs
By Taromane Martin
King George Sixers Godfrey Toramo tries to go past a USP Islander player during their semi final match on Tuesday. Sixers won.
KING George Sixer’s basketball team player Godfrey Toramo has been named the high school player of the week for the second time.
Toramo who was named the player of the week a fortnight ago picked up the award last Sunday after helping Sixers defeat Mbua Valley Warriors 32-7 in their Honiara Basketball League high school match at the Multipurpose Hall.
The win propels King George into first position on the competition table with 31 points positive over last week’s leaders Saint Nicholas College Sentinels who dropped to second place with 30 points following their 20-8 win over Woodford International School.
Meanwhile there was a general bye round for the Open Women’s and Men’s Division as HBL hosted a 3X3 tournament at the Multipurpose Hall last Sunday.
The HBL Executive in a statement said the 3×3 tournament saw some hard fought matches from the eight men’s teams who registered, across the two pools.
While the men’s competition was action packed the organisers were left disappointed with the women’s 3×3 competition which saw only two teams registered on the day.
“The semi-final cross-overs saw Marist 1 emerge undefeated from Pool A, only to be overrun by D Fenders (second in Pool A) in overtime by a score of 15-13 in their semi-final,” the statement said.
“In the other semi-final, Pool B first place Cannons defeated Pool A second place Crusaders 8-4 to advance to the grand final.
“In the grand final, despite missing their star player Godfrey Toramo to injury, D Fenders were able to gain the ascendancy late in the game with some sharp outside shooting to run away 16-12 winners over Cannons.
“Organisers were disappointed with only two women’s teams nominating for the event, meaning only exhibition games were held for the women’s division, but overall were pleased with the competitive play and good sportsmanship in the men’s tournament,” the statement adds.
HBL says the next 3X3 tournament is scheduled for Sunday 21 October and more details will follow in the coming weeks.
Regular HBL league games resume next Sunday the Multipurpose Hall for all three divisions, High School Boys, Open Women and Open Men.
Morris Maitaki of NOCSI delivering a presentation for national federation members during Tuesday's meeting.
Federations urged to pull up their socks for 2019 Pacific Games
BY ROMULUS HUTA
Morris Maitaki of NOCSI delivering a presentation for national federation members during Tuesday’s meeting.
SPORTING federations who have submitted entries to be included in ‘One Team Solomon’ for next year’s Pacific Games in Samoa have been urged to step up in their preparations.
Morris Maitaki, who is the Chef De Mission (CdM) of ‘One Team Solomon’ for Pacific Games 2019 made the call during a meeting yesterday.
The meeting which was held at the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) conference room was organised by the National Selection and Justification Committee (NSJC) for national federations, purposely to convey to them important information relating to preparations for next year.
The NSJC is a committee established under the Events Commission of the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) and its main responsibility is to advise the local olympic committee’s executive board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities on matters relating to preparation of athletes and the ‘ONE TEAM SOLOMON’ in particular, for future regional and international competitions.
Mr. Maitaki said federations must step up in their preparations to attain good results during the games.
“We want to send a team that will go in to compete and not as tourists.
“It’s time that we set our targets higher to attain good results and surpass the ones produced in previous games.
“On this note, I call on all federations to step up in their training as we head toward next year,” Mr. Maitaki uttered.
Over the next few months, the NSJC will begin assessing the federations to ensure that they are ready to compete at the event due to run in Apia next July.
A total of 24 federations have submitted entries to join the Solomon Islands contingent for Samoa Games. They are Athletics, Basketball, Badminton, Boxing, football, golf, Judo, Netball, Powerlifting, Rugby League 9s, Rugby 7s, Sailing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Touch Rugby, Triathlon, Va’a, Volleyball (Indoor & Beach) and Weightlifting.
Following the initial entries of athletes and officials submitted in July to the 2019 Pacific Games Organising Committee as part of the games registration requirement, the current number stands at 636 across all sports for the entire contingent and it doubles the total number of 362 sent to the 2015 Games in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
Maitaki said further adjustments are yet to be carried out on the listing and the number is expected to reduce.
“The realistic figure should fall around 300 and 400 and we’ll be putting in all effort to make sure that the figure is reduced.”
Maitaki also called on federations to submit their team lists to the NSJC this week.
Meanwhile, the federation representatives who attended yesterday were also briefed on what to expect in Samoa next year and some of them include training venues, competition venues, accommodation and most importantly, the games schedules.
Tracy, husband Stephen and son Traven sharing their happy moment together.
Tracy, husband Stephen and son Traven sharing their happy moment together.
A young family from Guadalcanal are living the dream of travelling and working abroad in Canada.
Guadalcanal Provincial Premier Anthony Veke officially handed over formal immigration and employment documents to Mrs Didivera Tracy at Guadalcanal Provincial Headquarters yesterday.
The small but significant handing over ceremony was witnessed by GP- Minister for Education Lazarus Rina, Minister for Women Patrick Koiolia, GP- Provincial Secretary Timothy Ngele and Education Division representatives in the presence of Mrs Didivera, her husband Stephen Didivera and their son Traven Savino Kokopu.
In congratulating Mrs Didivera on her fine accomplishment of being chosen to amongst other candidates, Premier Veke described her case as special and unique setting new milestone as far as GP-CITREC programme is concerned.
“Your case is special because not only your SINP confirmation (Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program) is contained herein this document, it also contains that of you husband and son. You all three are receiving your SINP confirmation today and thats something I’m proud of, so must you and your family and the province.” Veke announced.
Normally workers under GP-CITREC with SINP will have to apply for their spouse and children upon arrival in Canada, in Tracy’s case her husband and child are directly nominated under SINP, thus the documents handed over to the young family yesterday contains their ‘confirmation of SINP nomination’ and ‘SINP Work Permit Support letter’ for Mrs Tracy.
Veke continued that he expects the best from Mrs Didivera when she gets to work in Canada, be good ambassador of Guadalcanal province and the country.
“You husband will soon follow you to Canada and take up job there and your child will enjoy all privileges enjoyed by Canadian Children,” Veke expressed.
GP-Minister for Education encouraged Mrs Didivera to shine whilst in Canada as she is representing all women in Guadalcanal.
Holding back her tears, Tracy thanked Premier Veke for his continuous leadership with the GP-CITREC programme and thanked GP- Education division for their continuous work.
“Despite the length of time it has taken to finally get these documents, I understand the processes involved, the time and efforts by GP-CITREC officers and those in Canada is not easy, for that I want to thank you all,” Mrs Didivera expressed.
Tracy will soon leave for Canada and her husband and child will join her later. She was accepted to work as ‘Food Service Supervisor’ at global fastfood restaurant chain McDonalds.
