MEN IN GREEN

Football is a world sport and one of the main reason behind this is because of its vibrant supporters. Solomon Islands is one of the most football dominated nation in the Oceania and have also been well known for producing some of the finest when it comes to individual players. However, the greatest feeling ever for Solomon Islanders is to spend their weekend afternoons at Lawson Tama watching their local clubs battle out for the top spot.

Solomon Islands is one of the well-known footballing nation in the pacific and have a rich history of being very competitive in the game. However recently the national teams’ performances are not quite successful as the crazy supporters expected however, the local football league called TSL (Telekom Super League) was the ground for all the passion of football to be poured out. The TSL is the top club football league in Solomon Islands and all the big names for Solomon Islands football are showcasing their talents there for their respective clubs. Some of the most powerful clubs currently playing in this league is Solomon Warriors, Kossa, Marist, Western United and Koloale or as they are locally known as ‘Men in Green’. The clubs all have their great history and have had a lot of generations of players and supporters loyal to them.

One of the top clubs is Koloale, a team that have been the household name in the top division for many years. This club have hosted a lot of the national reps for Solomon Islands including well-known names such as Batram Suri, Henry Fa’arodo, Marlon Houkarawa, Gideon Omokirio, Fred Hale and Benjamin Totori to name a few. Koloale over the years have been one of the best clubs in Solomon Islands and have been quite the most diverse club too. However, the fairy tale story wasn’t of Koloale’s to keep forever as they have lately been a club faced with a lot of struggle both management wise and also the team as a whole. In 2015, the team have barely struggled to maintain its reputation and incredibly managed to secure their spot in the top league. This year 2016 dawns a new year for Koloale Football club as head coach and former player Marlon Houkarawa is determined that he has got a golden generation of Koloale footballers to develop and help raise the men in green legacy back to where it belongs. Coach Houkarawa who is no stranger to football is probably one of the young coaches in the TSL and have already inspired a youthful Koloale side to its first victory against a much fierce and experience Marist side. To many, football can be quite predictable when it comes to the players the team have but in reality it is actually how much passion and commitment one puts into a match that wins a match. Koloale today have inspired their supporters to dream again and have faith in them as they look to battle their way through the very strong TSL season.

Koloale although have faced a very difficult patch in its management but they have also received a prodigal son Ian Paia. Mr Paia who has been with Koloale since a child have transferred to Solomon Warriors few years back and after a very successful spell in the Red and white uniform of Warriors, he has decided to return to the men in green. In his first game, Ian have stamped his presence with a remarkable strike that left the hundreds watching in awe as Koloale supporters welcome back their striker. The current team of Koloale is looking to rewrite history with its new set of players and a couple of old legs that are still passionate about the club. Now after so many disappointing TSL Season, Koloale fans can now come out in numbers and support their men in green as promising talents are gradually emerging within the green uniform.  

Now dawns a new TSL season and every team will be aiming for the top spot after round one and Koloale is amongst these teams aiming for the top position. Now Solomon Islands fans can rest assured that there will be more unpredictable results coming their way as all the teams in the competition are eager to beat their opponents. Good luck to the ‘Men in Green’ and may the best team wins.

Picture: courtesy of Zahid Photography