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$30,000 up for grabs in Easter v’ball

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ROMULUS HUTA

A total of $30,000 in cash prizes will be up for grabs during the upcoming Easter national volleyball championship.

The annual Easter tournament will run from March 30 to April 8 in Honiara.

To be organized by Solomon Islands Volleyball Federation (SIVF), all volleyball clubs in Honiara and the provinces are being urged to come and register to avoid missing out.

Federation president and head of the organizing committee, Morris Maitaki said they expect a good number of teams from the provinces and Honiara to participate.

Maitaki precisely outlined that the tournament will be restricted to only 12 teams each for both the men’s and women’s categories.

“Interested teams can register their participations at the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) office.

“There are three provinces who have already confirmed their participation and they have already arrived in Honiara.

“The provincial teams are Choiseul, Western and Renbel. The rest of the teams come from Honiara,” Maitaki added.

Registration per team is $1,000 and will close on Thursday March 29.

A technical meeting for participating clubs and tournament technical officials will be held following the closure of the registration.

“The technical meeting will be held at the NOCSI conference room on Thursday 29th March 2018 at 4:30pm. Please make efforts to attend the meeting for draws and also take a look through at the ground rules.”

The competition kicks off with an opening ceremony on Friday March 30, 2pm in the afternoon and to be followed by opening matches.

Maitaki said the competition venue is not yet confirmed and organisers shall announce it soon.

“We would appreciate that all the participating teams that are planning to participate should now get their trainings and preparations underway.

“For further details contact: 7472317/ 7831188.”

Winners will receive the following cash prizes:

Men’s Category

First: $6,000

Second: $4,000

Third: $3,000

Fourth: 2,000

  • Consolation prizes will also be awarded to top performing individuals

Women’s Category

First: $6,000

Second: $4,000

Third: $3,000

Fourth: 2,000

*Consolation prizes will also be awarded to top performing individuals.

Chan calls on ‘One Team Solomon’ to work together

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Chef de Mission Michael Chan and NOCSI President Martin Rara during the briefing.

BY ROMULUS HUTA

Chef de Mission Michael Chan and NOCSI President Martin Rara during the briefing.

THE Chef de Mission for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games has called on his ‘One Team Solomon’ members to work together closely during the course of the Games.

Speaking during a team briefing held at the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) conference room yesterday, Michael Chan urged athletes and officials to uphold the unified spirit of ‘One Team Solomon’ during the games.

“We are the country’s ambassadors to the Commonwealth Games.

“The spirit of oneness must be upheld at all times as we are representing Solomon Islands, under one flag and one banner.

“We must continue to support and encourage each other, stick together from day one and right to the finish.

“We will check up our competition schedules and must rally morale support for each competitor during the competition days.

“If you need help with anything during the games, then we members of the team management are to here to help,” Chan assured.

The Commonwealth Games will run from April 4 to 15 in Gold Coast, Australia.

A total of 14 athletes across six sports and 11 officials will represent Solomon Islands in the Games.

The six sports are athletics (four athletes), boxing (one athlete), table tennis (two athletes), swimming (two athletes), triathlon (two boys) and weightlifting (three athletes).

Four of the 14 athletes are currently overseas training under scholarships for the Games.

Members of the Solomon Islands Contingent will leave Honiara for the Games on Sunday.

The four overseas-based athletes will meet the rest of the ‘One Team Solomon’ members in Brisbane, enroute to Gold Coast.

The Chef de Mission will leave early for Gold Coast today.

This is to prepare ahead of the arrival of the rest of the team members at the Games Village on Sunday.

See below the rest of the ‘One Team Solomon’ Members for Gold Coast 2018

Athletics:

Sharon Firisua, Patrick Kam, Samantha Rofo and Kevin Pio

Coach: James Iroga

Boxing

Henry Kia

Coach: John Utukana

Table Tennis:

Lalma Sifi, Gary Edward Nuopula

Coach: Aldrin Bekala

Triathlon:

Rocky D Ratu, Patrick Newman

Coach: Thompson Nathan Siofa

Weightlifting:

David Gorosi, Jenlyn Wini, Mary Lifu Kini

Swimming:

Clement Bill Lafiara, Angella Charles

Coach: Stance Sanga

‘One Team Solomon’ Officials:

Martin Rara (NOCSI President), Melinda Avosa (NOCSI Secretary General), Michael Chan (Chef de Mission), Naoyuki Fujiyama (General Team Manager), Adrian Tuhanuku (Assistant GTM) and Francis Manioru (Team Leader)

Gorosi still to decide competing class

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Weightlifter David Gorosi

BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE country’s male weightlifting representative to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games is still yet to decide which category he is going to compete in.

David Gorosi, whose all-time category is the 85kg class said he might compete in the 94kg in the Games and will decide later due to other reasons.

During the introductory part of the ‘One Team Solomon’ briefing yesterday at the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) conference room, Gorosi said: “I’m still unsure which category I would compete in.

“I’m still undecided. I might compete in the 85kg or the 94kg. I will decide later due to other circumstances,” he said.

Gorosi has earned his qualification into the Commonwealth Games on merit.

The 29 year old earned the spot following his outstanding performance at last year’s Asian Indoor Games held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Gorosi participates in the 85kg event and was one of the four weightlifters that represented Solomon Islands at the Asian Games.

In Ashgabat, Gorosi lifted a total of 276kg after affording 121kg and 155kg in the snatch and the clean and jerk respectively.

Gorosi is not new to the Commonwealth Games having represented the country at the 2014 edition held in Glasgow, Scotland.

The qualification for Gold Coast makes it his second time to participate in the event.

In Glasgow, he achieved a personal best of 280kg after lifting 125kg in snatch and 155kg in clean and jerk to finish on the 11th position out of 20 competitors.

Gorosi’s trip to Gold Coast takes the number of Solomon Islands’ lifters to the games to three participants.

The other two are New Caledonia-based female duo Jenlyn Wini and Mary Kini.

The duo secured their Commonwealth passage September last year during the combined Oceania and the Commonwealth Championships held in Queensland.

Wini is the current Commonwealth champion in the 58kg division and all eyes will be watching when she takes center stage on April 5 during the competition day.

The Commonwealth Games will run from April 4 to 15.

SPO unveiled as GC2018 sponsor for ‘One Team Solomon’

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY ROMULUS HUTA

LOCALLY-owned oil company, South Pacific Oil (SPO) Limited was unveiled as the official sponsor for ‘One Team Solomon’ for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

A ceremony to mark the unveiling of the sponsorship was held yesterday at the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) conference room at Point Cruz where the company donated $70,000 toward One Team Solomon’s participation in next month’s Games in Australia.

The partnership came about after One Team Solomon’s Chef de Mission for Gold Coast 2018, Michael Chan approached SPO weeks ago.

Chan was pleased to receive the donation saying the funds given will be used to source ‘One Team Solomon’ members’ allowances at the Games.

“I requested $50,000 but then with good heart, they are willing to support us with $70,000, which I’m very grateful.

“The money will be put to good use by sourcing the athletes and officials’ allowances and other necessities during the Games.

“We will be transparent on how the money is spent and I would like to assure everyone that it will go straight for its intended purpose,” Chan assured.

Chan also thanked SPO for having the confidence in NOCSI.

SPO Chief Executive Officer Carson Korawa said their company is locally-owned and the donation is part of their outreach of giving back to the community.

“We are pleased to assist our ambassadors to the Games in Gold Coast and I would like to wish ‘One Team Solomon’ all the best,” Korawa said.

The Commonwealth Games will run from April 4 to 15.

A total of 14 athletes across six sports and 11 officials will represent Solomon Islands in the Games.

Members of the Solomon Islands Contingent will leave Honiara for Australia on Sunday.

Swimmers assisted with training gear

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Members of the Swimming Federation display the items donated on Monday

BY ROMULUS HUTA

THE Solomon Islands Swimming Federation (SISF) received new training gears yesterday.

The gears were donated by Okinawa Prefecture Swimming Federation from Japan.

The assistance was part of the relationship the swimming federation and the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) has with Okinawa Prefecture Swimming.

Facilitated through a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) volunteer serving here as a teacher at Burns Creek School, Sho Yonahara, the assistance will help address the lack of proper training gear by the national swimming federation.

“I think swimmers here will be very pleased to receive the assistance.

“The assistance came about because the federation here really needs them.

“This is a new sport here and it needs more support,” Yonahara said.

As part of the relationship between the swimming federation and the NOCSI has with Okinawa Prefecture Swimming, last year three local swimmers also spent two weeks in Japan training under professional coaches.

The training in Japan was met by the Japanese Olympic Committee and it is part of the preparation toward the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Per diem for athletes

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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One Team Solomon Chef de Mission for Gold Coast Games Michael Chan.

First ever allowance for ‘One Team Solomon’ members

BY ROMULUS HUTA

One Team Solomon Chef de Mission for Gold Coast Games Michael Chan.

MEMBERS of ‘One Team Solomon’ to next month’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will receive allowances totaling up to more than $50,000.

‘One Team Solomon’ Chef de Mission (CdM) Michael Chan confirmed that all athletes and officials will each receive equal amounts of $2,285.47 for their participation in the Games.

In a briefing for the Solomon Islands contingent yesterday at the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) conference room, Mr Chan said this is first time ever for athletes and officials to be given such a treatment by the national governing Olympic body.

In the past, nothing like that has ever happened, especially to have come from NOCSI, according to Chan.

“Players often receive allowances in past trips but that don’t actually come from NOCSI but they are given by their various respective national federations,” he said.

A total of 14 athletes across five sports and 11 officials will represent Solomon Islands in the Games.

The five sports are athletics (four athletes), boxing (one athlete), table tennis (two athletes), swimming (two athletes) and weightlifting (three athletes).

Chan said each athlete and official will receive $500 of their allocated allowances a day or two prior to their departure for Australia on Sunday.

The remaining $1,785.47 (converted to Australian Dollar – AUD$300) will be paid out upon arrival in Gold Coast.

“The amounts could be small. But I must urge athletes and officials to appreciate the commitment shown by the team management.

“The $500 that will be given prior to departure is to ensure team members meet immediate needs before leaving for Australia.

“Some might want to use that money to give to their families before leaving. That serves one of the purposes of the first part to be paid out prior to departure.

“One Team Solomon members are our ambassadors to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and they deserve something in that regard,” Chan explained.

“Athletes might want to purchase souvenirs for their loved ones or family members back home upon their return from the Games.

“As a sport official since the past two decades, it is heartening to see athletes went to take part in overseas games and competitions with nothing in their pockets. As I reflected back, it’s a sad thing but that’s the sad truth.

“We hope the small amount of allowances which will be paid to athletes will make some difference,” he expressed.

As the Chef de Mission for Gold Coast, Chan stressed that one of his aims is to make ‘One Team Solomon’ operate on a new standard.

“It’s a standard which aims to motivate our athletes to perform to their best in international outings.”

The money that will be used to source the allowances is part of the $70,000 donated by South Pacific Oil yesterday, unveiling the locally-owned oil company as ‘One Team Solomon’ official sponsor for Gold Coast 2018.

South Pacific Oil Chief Executive Carson Korawa handed over the donation to Chan, witnessed by athletes and officials in a ceremony at the NOCSI office.

With the allowances totaling more than $50,000, the remaining part of that donated funds will be used to meet other necessities during the course of the Games in Gold Coast.

“The remaining part of the money is to cater for emergency and miscellaneous expenses while in Australia. Some will also go toward sporting equipment purchase for the athletes’ competitions.”

Chan assured members of the general public that the money given is being put to good use for the sake of the athletes’ welfare at the games.

“We will make sure that the spending of the donated funds is done in a transparent manner.”

The Solomon Islands contingent will leave for Gold Coast Sunday afternoon.

The Games will run from April 4 to 15.

Relight the candle

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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ULMWP 2018-2021 Spokesman Mr Jacob Rumbiak has been in the country for nine days purposely to talk with key people to raise the West Papua issue for support. Mr Rumbiak leaves the country today. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS

Solidarity group & ULMWP call for revival of support for West Papua

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

ULMWP 2018-2021 Spokesman Mr Jacob Rumbiak has been in the country for nine days purposely to talk with key people to raise the West Papua issue for support. Mr Rumbiak leaves the country today. PHOTO BY MANEBONA BARNABAS

SOLOMON Islands solidarity group for West Papua is calling on the national government to bring to parliament a bill supporting West Papua.

This call is in collaboration with the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), whose spokesperson, Mr Jacob Rumbiak, is here in Honiara to meet with community leaders over the issue of West Papua.

Mr Rumbiak has been in the country for nine days on his mission to revive the West Papua issue, which had been heightened by the Sogavare-led government two years ago.

He said they are to discuss and share on what exactly they will put together for the future of West Papua based on the United Nation (UN) mechanism.

ULMWP is pleading that Solomon Islands does not lose the vigour that it once had under former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, which showed the true Melanesian spirit.

“It is very clear that the former Sogavare Government’s policy, sovereignty, liberty and dignity are on the right track so it should continue,” said Rumbiak.

“Our message is we hope to stand together. All leaders of Solomon Islands should unite. Indonesia entering the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) is messing things up. It is the same thing we are experiencing for 56 years now.

“This type of leadership defying all rules and taking control of everything is the same in Indonesia.

“So I am here to meet with grassroots leaders, NGOs, church leaders, women leaders, students and youths because they are the right people who have the power to mandate their representative in Parliament to Bill support so that we solve West Papua’s political right at the UN.”

He said this includes the global community who are sympathetic of the West Papuan cause.

Rumbiak leaves the country today, but will be back after two weeks once receiving information for the exact time of Parliament sitting around mid-year July from the Solomon Solidarity for West Papua in the country.

Kokonut Cup ends successfully

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Kokonut-cup

BY Taromane Martin

THE 9th Kokonut Cup competition was successful held at the Coconut Café in Honiara yesterday.

Japanese International Cooperation Agency Volunteer Ms Yukie Miyano said the competition is aimed at encouraging Solomon Islanders to look after their health and also to communicate with other people from Pacific and other countries.

“Sho and I who are JICA Volunteer have held on the 9th Kokonut Cup successfully today. The Kokonut Cup has started in March last year,” Ms Miyano said.

“This event’s purposes are to give Solomon Islanders the opportunity to communicate with other pacific countries people during sports.

“To encourage Solomon people in health, to give them an opportunity to compete and hopefully see them making it become one of their aim in life.

“It was last event that Sho and I will do together because Sho is going back to Japan after completing his work in the country.

“Sho had swimming lesson first and we had swimming race for individual and then had the water polo game,” she said.

Meanwhile Ms Miyano said after yesterday’s competitions a good number of participants have now passed executing the freestyle, breast stroke and butterfly style swimming events.

“Many participants who from Solomon, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia have enjoyed and excited very much.

“We are very happy to many people has interest to this event and continue to participate and also cooperate us.

“I will effort to hold the Kokonut Cup again with locals and who will help me,” she said.

The individuals are: Nid Satjipanon, Timson Iro, Crema Kangi, Yosuke Ishikawa, Mitsuo Kudo, Keigo Iwayanagi, Mick Li, Ludo Daverdin, Vivian Fernandes, Shunji Fujiwara, Miki Yoshioka, Sakimi Otaki, Hikari Iizuka, Honami Kanehori and Francisca.

Result for yesterday’s Kokonut Cup competition are as follows:

Open men’s

1st Ludovic Daverdin

2nd Timson Iro

3rd Vivian Fernandes

 

Open women’s

1st Andriana Tukavia

2nd Yukie Miyano

3rd Hikari Iizuka

 

Result of water polo game:

Team Solomon VS Team Pacific

1 period 2 – 0

2 period 3 – 4

Total 5 – 4 … Team Solomon won

SIPA backs futsal league

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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G-Camp FC Eddie Konde tries to go past Royals Charles during their opening match of the SIFF Futsal Championship yesterday. G-Camp won 12-4.

By Taromane Martin

SOLOMON Islands Ports Authority (SIPA) will be the major sponsor for this year’s national futsal league competition.

The national futsal league will be completed by 12 teams and is set to kick off this Thursday at the Multipurpose Hall.

Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Development Officer Mr Jerry Sam said they are expecting all participating teams and players to be ready for the futsal league.

“I want to call on all team managers to hand in their Team Registration by at 5:00pm today. If any team are late with their team registration they will fined for being late,” Mr Sam said.

“I want to remind and urge all 12 teams for the competition to be prepared because futsal is a very, very fast and entertaining game.

“Players and officials must be mentally and physically ready for this championship. On this note I just want to wish teams and players all the best for the tournament.

“I also want to thank the Honiara City Council for understanding and allowing us the one and only venue the Multipurpose Hall to host the league,” he said.

Meanwhile, the 12 teams confirmed to take part in the competition are

  1. Marist Futsal Club
  2. Kossa Futsal Club
  3. Vania Futsal Club
  4. Koloale Futsal Club
  5. G Camp Futsal Club
  6. Mataks Futsal Club
  7. National U-17 Futsal Team
  8. Guntimak Futsal Club
  9. Real Kakamora Futsal Club
  10. Henderson Futsal Club
  11. Cool Line Futsal Club
  12. Indo-Solo Futsal Club

TSL semi finals Wednesday

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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John Aeta of Marist FC (Right) goes past a FC Guadalcanal player during their TSL Championship Round 2 clash at Lawson Tama. Marist FC are through to the competition semi final after defeating FC Guale 5-0 yesterday…Photo Taromane Martin

Four teams remaining

By Taromane Martin

SEMI-finalists for the Telekom S-League Championship are set after the completion of round two at Lawson Tama Stadium yesterday.

Semi-finals for the competition will start on Wednesday with Marist FC taking on an improved Malaita Kingz FC followed by the second semi-final match between Solomon Warriors FC and KOSSA FC on Thursday.

This was after KOSSA FC eliminated Western United FC despite a 3-3 draw while Malaita Kingz FC had to come from behind to eliminate Henderson Eels FC 2-1 on Saturday.

Marist FC secured their semi-final spot after defeating FC Guadalcanal 5-0 while Solomon Warriors FC defeated Real Kakamora FC 3-1 yesterday.

“They performed well today than last weekend. Like I told them the result does not matter getting organised is what matters because we have two weeks to prepare for the OFC Champions League quarterfinals,” Marist FC Head Coach Jerry Allen told SunSPORTS yesterday.

“It’s good because we gave our young ones match time. I’m happy we got five goals. It shows the boys are doing what we’ve been practising on this area which has been a real issue for us.

“Hard work will be the key for us. Each day we must work hard if we want to get the result we want, hard work that is the key,” Coach Allen said.

FC Guadalcanal Head Coach Martin Hiti was disappointed with the number of wasted opportunities but says he is happy with what he has seen from his young side so far.

“I’m happy with what I’ve seen from our two games so far and I’m optimistic for the new season of the TSL which we will now focus for,” he said.

Meanwhile, Malaita Kingz FC Head Coach Rence Talo was pleased with his boy’s performance on Saturday adding their club is trying to give their young players the experience of playing in the highest football competition in the country.

“Most of our players are in the U-19 training squad so we want to give them exposure and experience so they can be ready to represent the country with the squad.

“I’m pleased with the result. We stuck and played together as a team. We are ready and look forward to meet whoever we will play in the semi-finals,” Coach Talo said.

Henderson Eels FC Team Captain Freddy Kini accepted the loss saying some of their players lacked concentration but hopes to do better in the new TSL Season.

“We knew we had to win but unfortunately we lost focus and conceded those two goals in the second half.

“I think the missed penalty and the red card discouraged us as a team but that is football,” Kini said.

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