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Impressive stats

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Benjamin Totori playing for Waitakere United against AS Manu Ura of Tahiti in one of the previous seasons of the Oceania club Champions league

Totori is the all-time leading goal scorer in the Oceania champions league

BY ROMULUS HUTA

SOLOMON Islands talisman Benjamin Totori heads into this year’s Oceania Champions League as the competition’s all time highest leading goal scorer.

Since debuting in the 2006 Oceania club championship with former New Zealand top club Youngheart Manawatu, Totori currently has a total of 17 goals under his belt so far ahead of Auckland City’s Ryan De Vries’ 14 goals.

Fijian striker Osea Vakatalesau is third with 13 goals; Emiliano Tade of Auckland City is fourth with 12 goals while another two Solomon Islanders in the form of Micah Lea’alafa and James Naka occupies the fifth spot with 11 goals each.

Totori gathered the 17 goals across 41 Oceania club champions league appearances since the 2006 edition where he finished the competition as the golden boot winner.

Apart from being the top leading goal scorer, his 41 caps across all oceania championship editions is also second highest to De Vries’ 44 caps.

Totori will feature for Fijian champions Lautoka Blues in this season of the Oceania Champions League.

Lautoka was drawn in Group C against Auckland City, AS Venus and Madang FC. Their matches will get underway in Auckland from February 25.

Fiji media reports that Totori is getting fitter everyday as they approach the hit-out in Auckland next two weeks.

And it is highly likely that he will continue with his exploits by mesmerising soccer fans with his pacey electrifying runs when they take on Madang FC in their opener on February 25.

Apart from this Oceania feat, he also holds the record for most goals in a season in New Zealand when he found the back of the net 24 times with Young Heart Manawatu in the NZFC 2006/07 season.

Given the impressive stats, Totori said he has come along with the goals and he hopes he can score more goals for Lautoka to increase his tally this year.

“If I have the chance to score, then I would like to increase my tally to go beyond what I have now,” he told SUNSPORTS.

Meanwhile, Totori is one of the most profiled footballers Solomon Islands had ever produced, joining in the ranks of late Commins Menapi, Batram Suri and Henry Fa’arodo to name a few.

Having featured for top clubs in New Zealand such as Manawatu, Richmond Athletic and Waitakere, in 2008, the small but speedy striker moved abroad to United States of America, breaking into the lucrative American soccer market by signing with the Portland Timbers after impressing New Zealand-born coach Gavin Wilkinson.

Totori’s stint with Portland did not last beyond three matches as he returned to New Zealand after injury cut short his career in the American Soccer League.

He joined Koloale FC in Honiara in 2010 after another successful spell in New Zealand. He immediately ended up top goalscorer in the Telekom S-league, netting 23 goals in only 19 matches.

On 19 June 2012, after an impressive performance in the Oceania Nations Cup playing for the Solomon Islands senior side, Totori had signed a one-year deal with Hyundai A-League club Wellington Phoenix where he made 17 appearances, marking his debut against Del Piero-captained Sydney FC.

From 2014 until 2017 he played in the Telekom S-League with Western United before moving to join Lautoka last month for the Oceania champions league Group B competition.

STATS

Most Goals

Benjamin Totori (17), Ryan De Vries (14), Osea Vakatalesau (13), Emiliano Tade (12), James Naka (11) and Micah Lea’alafa (11)

Most Caps

Ryan De Vries (44), Benjamin Totori (41), Malakai Tiwa (38), Koriak Upaiga (36), Nelson Sale (35), Jone Vesikula (32)

SP-Oil blocked

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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President of Kadere party, Peter Boyers

Country’s fuel distributor barred from suing former chairman for $2M fuel debt

By Alfred Sasako

SOUTH Pacific Oil – a subsidiary of the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF) – was reportedly “blocked” from suing its former chairman and interim Kadere Party President, Peter Boyers, it was revealed yesterday.

The action was said to be over a $2 million fuel debt Mr Boyers allegedly incurred while he was chairman of SP Oil Ltd, Island Sun was told yesterday.

It was alleged that Boyers had borrowed heavily in fuel supplies to enable him to run his once-lucrative shipping operations, which have since gone belly-up with the financier, Credit Corporation, having withdrawn its credit line.

Boyers relinquished the chairmanship of SP Oil around the end of 2016.

Sources told Island Sun yesterday that SP Oil Ltd was in the process of suing Mr Boyers after he relinquished the Chairmanship but the action was “blocked.” Island Sun could not independently verify the alleged court action.

Island Sun was also unable to verify who might be responsible for blocking the alleged court action. If true, it suggests that Boyers’ appointments as Chairman of a number of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) were all part of a network within the government system.

The former finance minister was once the Chairman of the Investment Corporation of Solomon Islands (ICSI), Chairman of SP Oil Ltd and Chairman of the Solomon Islands National Provident Fund (SINPF).

It would appear the appointing Minister had never bothered to check the bona fides of the Kadere Party’s interim president. If he had, he would have discovered that the interim President of Kadere Party had a string of failed businesses, which would have disqualified him from holding any chairmanships or directorships of any public company.

It is now up to Prime Minister Ricky Houenipwela in consultation with his Deputy and Minister for Finance and Treasury, Manasseh Sogavare to decide whether Mr Boyers should continue as chairman of SINPF.

Boyers is seeking the renewal of his appointment as the SI DCC Government’s Traditional Governance Consultant, a position he held for three years during the DCC government’s tenure without producing a single report, according to the Office of the Prime Minister.

Voter list for Choiseul, Western near completion

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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By Mike Puia

THE Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) is moving closer to finalising the voter list for Choiseul and Western provincial elections.

The Commission is at the public inquiry phase in the registration process.

In this phase, any complain made against names on the registration lists are investigated by the revising officers in public inquiry meetings.

According to the Commission this is done at community level within the constituencies.

This phase will end this Sunday.

During this phase, decision from these meetings whether to remove or re-inert names of a person on the lists depend on the evidences that supported these claims.

The revising officer will make these decisions.

The decisions will be sent to the Commission to amend the draft voters list and then finalised them in time for the elections.

 

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There’s still time: Allen

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Jerry Allen Marist FC acting Head Coach...Photo Taromane Martin.

Marist wants final friendly

BY TAROMANE MARTIN

MARIST FC Head Coach Jerry Allen says there is still enough time for his side to prepare as they wait to take on Team Wellington of New Zealand on February 24.

Coach Allen who led Papua New Guinea club Hekari United FC to victory during the 2009-2010 edition of the OFC Champions League will be in charge of Marist FC as they host Group D of the tournament here in Honiara.

On Saturday at the SIFF Academy, Marist FC played KOSSA FC in their third friendly match, defeating them 1-0.

Despite the win, the coach said there are areas his side still needs to improve on and is hoping to have one more friendly match before their first match.

“Yes we will have enough time to work on these areas. Especially on our finishing, our middle third, center and forward,” Coach Allen said.

“We must make sure we have options up fronts and make sure our forwards create chances in order for us to score.

“Sometimes defenders play their part really well while the forwards lacked performance. Scoring is important.

“If we play good football but don’t score we lose but if you play bad football but you score goals you’ll win.

“This is competition time. If we want to win then we have to stand strong. Like I tell the players, we will have the home advantage. This is their moment to shine and give it their all,” he adds.

The coach admitted scoring goals is a problem for his side and hopes to have one more friendly match to improve his combination before the 24th.

“Yes scoring is a big problem for us. I always challenge the boys especially our forwards and mid fielders. We must score goals, that is their task, if we don’t score goals then it will be a problem,” he said.

“We’ll need to work on it and I hope the boys we’ll figure it out before the competition kicks off.

“I would like to have one more friendly. But I’m not going to confirm with which team yet because our friendly with KOSSA was an impromptu one.

“We have one more weekend left so yes I would very much like to have one more friendlily probably this weekend.

“So yes if one more it will be really good because it will help me identify who will start

Solomon Islands, 11th best travel destination 2018

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Photo caption- Picture captures in one of the beautiful islands in Western province—photo credit to MWT Magazine

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

SOLOMON Island is registered 11th on 2018 best travel destinations in the world.

According to FWT Magazine travel experts, Solomon Islands is known for its wildly stunning nearly-1000 islands, which makes it the eleventh best travel destination in the world.

FWT Magazine said, “If you want an off-the-beaten track adventure, 2018 could be the year to jump on a plane bound for the Solomon Islands or Jordan.

“Today it’s difficult to find those remote, tucked-away places on the planet where tourists are welcome, but very few go.

“Solomon Islands located six thousand miles off the coast of Los Angeles, USA is attracted to wildly stunning archipelago of nearly 1,000 islands, and international visitors are encouraged to visit this year.

“I’ve been to the Solomons twice before and I can’t wait to go again this year. No shopping, no five-star glamour, just perfect pink-tinged sunsets, the best snorkeling I’ve ever experienced and the freshest cuisine.”

Solomon Islands’ main highlights for this year include the Western province which is described as a regional hub well-known to the outside world for its eco-tourism and beautiful islands inhabited mostly by Melanesian people who spend their daily lives living in and off the water.

This year, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau in collaboration with the tourism sector in the country are strategising to increase the number of international visitors.

Its marketing strategy is promotion through all forms of media, deploy international travel writers and provide trainings for their staffs.

The best travel destination for 2018 are; 1. Tokyo, Japan 2. Osinj island,Croatia 3. Abruzzi, Italy 4. Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada 5. Bordeaux, France 6. Capri, Italy 7. Sri Lanka 8. Lake Constance, Germany 9. Budapest 10. Jordan 11. Solomon Islands

Naka scores history for Nalkutan

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Vodafone Ba rep Malakai Tiwa defends against Nalkutan FC James Naka in Port Vila,Vanuatu on February 10, 2018. Photo OFC Media.

BY TAROMANE MARTIN

Vodafone Ba rep Malakai Tiwa defends against Nalkutan FC James Naka in Port Vila,Vanuatu on February 10, 2018. Photo OFC Media.

FORMER national beach soccer wonder boy James Naka has created history for Vanuatu debutants Nalkutan FC over the weekend after defeating Ba FC 1-0 at the Korman Stadium in Port Villa.

The 2018 Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League kicked off over the weekend with Group A matches.

Naka scored from the penalty spot in the 64th minute to see the Vanuatu Soccer League champions claim a historic win in their first Champions League outing.

Nalkutan were awarded the penalty after Ba’s defender Malakai Tiwa handled the ball inside his penalty box.

Tiwa was shown the red card for the incident after picking up his second yellow of the game.

Five minutes later Joses Nawo of Nalkutan FC was also flashed a direct red card.

Both Tiwa and Nawo will be handed a two match suspension each for the red cards

Other results from the Group A matches over the weekend saw Lae City Dwellers FC (PNG) thrashing Tupapa Maraerenga (Cook Islands) as Raymond Gunemba scored four goals in the 7-2 drubbing while Tutizama Tanito also getting his name on the score sheets.

Solomon Islands handover to PNG

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Solomon Islands Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Peter Kenilorea (left) and MSG Director General, Ambassador Amena Yauvoli opening the SOM Officials meeting at The Stanley Hotel & Suites. Photo from MSG Facebook

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

Solomon Islands Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Peter Kenilorea (left) and MSG Director General, Ambassador Amena Yauvoli opening the SOM Officials meeting at The Stanley Hotel & Suites. Photo from MSG Facebook

MELANESIAN Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders are now preparing for the 21st biennial session to be held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea on Wednesday February 14, 2018.

Over the weekend, senior officials from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the FLNKS in New Caledonia met to finalise issues which will be before MGS leaders for their decision. West Papua had sat in as an observer during the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM).

Recommendations and discussions from the SOM will be made available to MSG foreign ministers when they meet today for the MSG pre-summit foreign ministers meeting.

The SOM was reported to start with the outgoing chair and Permanent Secretary of the Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Peter Kenilorea Jnr handing over the SOM Chair to PNG’s Acting Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary, Barbara Age.

Solomon Islands had been commended by Ms Age when she accepted the leadership role from Kenilorea Jnr.

“I’m confident that our meeting today and tomorrow will set an excellent platform to reflect on policy issues and the operation of the MSG Secretariat, Ms Age was reported to say on Saturday by the MSG Office.

After the weekend SOM, today the Foreign Ministers convene to endorse reports that will form the agenda of the leaders meeting on Wednesday.

“We will be reporting to Leaders on the reform status of the Secretariat as mandated by the Governing Council in December 2016. Also a number of reports will be presented to the Leaders. These include the report on PNG’s 2017 National Elections, report on Arms Trade Treaty, report on the MSG inshore fisheries and an update on membership guidelines,” MSG Secretariat Director General, Ambassador Yauvoli told PACNEWS.

The MSG director general also acknowledged the strong leadership of the group by Solomon Islands and the former Prime Minister, Mr Manasseh Sogavare to PACNEWS.

“Hon Manasseh Sogavare’s strong and dedicated leadership took the MSG out of the difficult situation it was in to where it is now, said Ambassador Yauvoli.

Yauvoli revealed to PACNEWS that a key event for the MSG summit will be the traditional handover of the MSG chairmanship from Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Rick Houenipwela to his Papua New Guinea counterpart, Peter O’Neill.

The Port Moresby Leaders’ Summit will be the first for Solomon Islands Prime Minister, who came to power in November last year after Manasseh Sogavare was voted out in a vote of no confidence.

The traditional handing over ceremony will be held tomorrow evening at the Sir John Guise Stadium.

Island Sun understands, Prime Minister Rick Hounipwela has left the country yesterday for Papua New Guinea.

HCC responsibility is business licence, not roads: Mayor

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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HCC Lord Mayor Andrew Mua

BY BARNABAS MANEBONA

HONIARA City Council (HCC) Mayor Hon Andrew Mua recently clarified that they are responsible for business licence and not maintenance along the main roads.

This is to make aware from receiving continuous calls from the public for them to address the road conditions.

“People are always complaining about the road conditions calling on HCC but it is not our responsibility, it is the National Government’s through the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID),” said Hon Mua.

“We are responsible for licence in giving authorisation to businesses so that they operate.”

From continuous calls made to HCC for the maintenance of roads, the HCC Mayor said he wants to make clear to the public that it is not their responsibility.

Gun-point issue solved

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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AMA University

Solomon Islands students in AMA University return to classes after a disturbing week

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

THE ‘Philippines Scare’ has reportedly settled after Solomon Islands students and the unhappy group of Filipinos reconciled last week.

Last week, parents and guardians of students studying at the AMA University in the Philippines were horrified to read on social media that a group of armed men had entered into a student’s home and held him at gun point.

It was posted on the popular local Facebook forum, the Yumi Toktok Forum, that the incident was the result to an alleged harassment of a local Filipina by a Solomon Islands student.

Speaking with Island Sun, few students confirmed that the group of masked men had held the student at gun point.

They add that the student who was held at gun point was also innocent – not the student involved in the harassment incident.

The incident occurred during a night-out by a group of Solomon Islands students to a popular snooker establishment (which Solomon Islands students usually frequent).

The student at the centre of the problem had reportedly flashed his private part to the woman who owned the place.

However, unbeknown to the student, the woman had videotaped his lewd actions in a hidden security body-camera.

Few days later, the woman, who is reportedly a well-known friend to many Solomon Islands students, circulated the video clip of the boy flashing her his private parts among the students.

It is believed that the woman’s relatives might have somehow got hold of the video, thus reacted with the gun-point incident.

The identity of the masked men are still unknown, according to Island Sun informants.

“We are all glad that the incident can now be put behind us, and we can concentrate on our studies.

“Last week had been quite traumatizing and we did not focus properly on our studies, but we are returning to normalcy, so thank God.”

Meanwhile, students appeal to the government to set up strict policies on student behaviour and ambassadorship when studying in the Philippines.

They say this latest incident is not the first of its kind, citing that several incident have already taken place over the years which have painted a negative image of Solomon Islands there.

Warriors fly out

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Warriors before dearpture to Tahiti on Thursday

By Taromane Martin

TELEKOM Soccer League champions Solomon Warriors FC have left the country yesterday for Tahiti for the start of their Group B OFC Champions League competition.

Warriors are in Group B alongside Vanuatu’s Erakor Golden Stars FC, AS Lossi FC of New Caledonia and AS Dragon of Tahiti.

Warriors will transit at Brisbane, flying via Auckland before making their way over to Pape’ete for their group matches.

Despite being satisfied with the improvement shown by his side during their double friendly match win over fellow Champions League qualifiers Marist FC, Toata said his side still needs to improve a little more before their first match, next week.

“We go for one week and have three games in that week which for me is a bit too much

“I will try my best with the little time we have to work on areas I think needs improvement before the competition kicks off.

“Just on very small things which in football can be a problem and can haunt you if not fixed,” Toata said.

Solomon Warriors FC will play Erakor Golden Stars of Vanuatu in their first match on February 12, followed by AS Lossi on February 13 before taking on AS Dragon in their final match on February 15.

Solomon Warriors travelling squad:

1.Abraham Izomo Bird 2.Joseph Line Komu 3.Hasddis Aengari Gagame 4.Fred Fakari 5.Milton Bata Furai 6.Allen Peter 7.Emmanuel Poila 8.John Alick 9.Judd Molea 10.Molea Tigi 11.Augustine Samani 12.Jerry Lou Donga 13.Gibson Samo Daudau 14.Albert Fakaia Witney 15.Kensi Tangis 16.Ian Hugh Paia 17.Gagame Feni

Non-travellers:

  1. Jason Thomas 19.Matson Feni 20.Loea Mani Taisara 21.Harry Masae and 22.Rolland Mamanika

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