BY TONY IROGA
Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS) is currently hosting the World Para Volleyball level 1 beach and indoor volleyball, marking a significant step forward in the development of inclusive sport in the Pacific.
According to Solomon Islands National Sport Council (SINSC) the five-day program, officially opened early this week at SINIS.
The five days program was delivered with the support of SINSC bringing together coach participants from across the region including Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Fiji and Solomon Islands.
Following the coaching program, the National Sport Council (NSC) reaffirmed its commitment to develop the inclusive sport, build coaching capacity, and position Solomon Islands as a centre for sporting excellence in the region.
President of the Solomon Islands National Paralympic Committee, Dr Andrew Soma, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to host the program.
“We are very privileged to have this coaching course here at SINIS, we had other para-sport programs in the past, Para Volley is new to us, and this training is very important for our athletes with special needs,” Soma said.
Dr Soma also acknowledged NSC and SINIS for their role in supporting the initiative.
“It is a privilege to have this course hosted here, and we thank NSC and SINIS for providing the facility and support to make this possible,” Soma said.
According to the development director for Asia Oceania Para Volley Wei Ping Tu said that this is the first time in the world that both disciplines are delivered in one course, and described the program as a milestone initiative for the region.
“It provides a great opportunity to promote Para Volley in the Pacific and strengthen coach development across our member countries,” said Wei Ping Tu.
He encouraged participants to take the knowledge gained back to their respective countries and expand the sport at all levels.
“We want coaches to not only develop national teams but also introduce the sport in communities and villages,” he said.
He said volleyball is already popular in the Pacific, and this is an opportunity to ensure athletes with disabilities are also included and given the chance to enjoy the sport and its benefits.
He said the course is designed to provide both theoretical and practical training, with a strong focus on real-world application and Solomon Islands is well positioned to run these programs into the future.
“This week, coaches will be involved in practical sessions for both sitting indoor and beach Para Volley,” he said.
He said this program opens the door for the development of both sitting indoor and beach Para Volley in Solomon Islands.
“We encourage our youth to take part, especially as there are plans to introduce the sport into future Pacific Games,” he said.
The course continues throughout the week, combining classroom learning with practical sessions, and reinforcing SINIS as a leading high-performance and training hub in the Pacific.
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