EMPIRE SOLOMON BOOST NATIONAL MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM WITH TRAINING T-SHIRTS.

Solomon Islands national basketball teams both the men and women sides are being boosted with the timely help from the new established Empire Solomon. The basketball national teams are gearing up for the basketball qualifiers which will be held in Papua New Guinea in September.

The new gears are very timely for the national basketball teams as the teams really need such help at this stage. The president of the Solomon Islands basketball federation, Brian Pongotapu expressed his thanks to Empire Solomon for the timely help as it is also boosting the teams' morale which is positive for the teams’ preparation. The game of basketball has been around for many years and Solomon Islands have managed to continue surviving through the years in this sport although the attention the sport get might not be as much as football and rugby usually have. It is indeed encouraging to see Empire Solomon stepping up and helping the sport as it is one of the sports Solomon Islands youngsters are drawn to in the modern day.

Empire Solomon representative, Alex who is pictured handing over the gears was very delighted with the appreciation from the Basketball president and has reassured the basketball teams that they are looking forward to working closely with the development of this sport in Solomon Islands. Fa’a Moana who is a well-known local fitness instructor has also shared his appreciation to Empire Solomon for the help. “I have been with basketball for many years and I know how any help is very much appreciated and this particular help from Empire Solomon is timely and beneficial for basketball”, said Fa’a.

For many, the company Empire Solomon might be new to them but to Western United Football Club, this is one of their major sponsors for the recent O-league which they took part of. Empire Solomon also were the major sponsors for the basketball league in Honiara. Alex who represented Empire Solomon gladly expressed their commitment towards basketball, “We’re very happy to assist the basketball teams because we believe this is a sport that can allow youths and even older people to be healthy and happy."

Solomon Islands Basketball Federation is glad to send both the Men’s and Women’s basketball team to the qualifiers in Papua New Guinea in September and hoping for a good tournament especially as their preparation is boosted with this timely help from Empire Solomon.

Picture: Empire Solomon representative, Alex handing a training T-shirt to the SIBF president and Fa'a Moana witnessed from the middle. 

I AM PROUD OF MY TEAM AND THE ACHIEVEMENT

It was a full action packed game which got fans all over Honiara turning up in numbers to watch the two sister Christian schools battling it out for the top spot of the HFA U16 High School Football tournament.

Numbu school came in the grand final already as favorites having gone through the tournament with so much confidence and great team performance. Florence Young Christian school, on the other hand, were the underdogs having been beaten in pool game by the talented Numbu side. The grand final was a fitting end to the entertaining HFA U16 tournament as Numbu CHS edged their sister school Florence Young Christian School by a convincing scoreline of two goals to nothing.

The exciting Numbu fans were all cheering and supporting their youngsters as they claimed the Champions title for the HFA U16 High School. During the presentation after the game, Maverick Gua Peter Seda got an exclusive interview with the winning Captain, Gabriel Lafo. The proud captain excitedly said, “I feel proud of my team and the achievement. The road to the final is not an easy one. There were lots of challenges not only in the games but outside such as transportation and also trying to do training while also balancing studies.” It was quite an emotional night for the champions as the youngsters measured their journey to being HFA U16 High school champions. Gabriel Lafo also thanked the school administration and the students body for their support and believe. On the opposite side, the underdogs were disappointed to have lost in the grand final but they were not embarrassed as they believed that they have lost to a worthy side. One of the Florence Young Christian school players, Jaybrax Keni expressed his views, “I think we did alright. Honestly, this was a very tough game and Numbu is a worthy side. We are disappointed but also we’re motivated for next year too. On behalf of the boys, we're really thankful to our school administration and our fellow students for their support.”

The HFA U16 High School football was a successful competition showcasing some of the young talents coming up in the nation. It was a wonderful conclusion to a very competitive and colorful competition of the year. For many fans, this tournament has been one of the most talked about tournament because it has been a while since such competition was organized. The schools in the competition all were in praise towards HFA for organizing the competition and looked forward for more positive years of high school football to come.

Picture by: Black19 photography

I BELIEVE IN OUR BOYS THAT THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Solomon Islands veteran and former wonder striker Batram Suri has taken the opportunity after Solomon Islands national team's two friendly matches with Fiji to motivate and encourage the national team players.

Batram Suri who is commonly known as ‘Babata’ is one of the deadliest Solomon Islands strikers during his time wearing the number ten jersey. The veteran forward has encouraged Solomon Islands current national team to be positive and work hard towards their two matches against Papua New Guinea. In an exclusive interview with the coach of Ifira Black side of Vanuatu, he said, “I recalled my days in football as very precious to me and I believed my pure passion and discipline helped me to be successful in my career. I strongly encourage my fellow countrymen in the national team to have the same passion and discipline too. It can make a difference.” Batram not only is a household name in Solomon Islands but is also a familiar name to New Zealand football having stamped his mark in the New Zealand football scene during his time in New Zealand.

The humble Solomon Islander mentioned three main points which he believed our national team players should take into consideration as part of their task to improve and hopefully win their match against Papua New Guinea. First and foremost, he urged the national players to be determined and passionate about being in the squad. The national team is a very unique and important group of people and whoever in that group should realize that it is a great responsibility because you’re representing your nation. He believes that determination and passion can definitely push a player’s mentality into the right direction. Secondly, he also mentioned that boys must be always on alert for the football fans’ comments and criticisms. It is part of the game and sometimes the comments if one does not really take it well can definitely disturb one’s performance. “One of my strengths and one thing that helped me to have a good football career is simply learning to digest positive comments and throw away negative comments” Batram comfortably said. His final point and probably the most important point he shared was the will to improve. The veteran said that he believes all Solomon Islands players have the capacity to be lethal and very good but they must believe in themselves and learn to improve. Improvement doesn’t come by itself but through determination and positive approach from the players. Batram continued on and expressed his personal words to the players and the nation, “I believe in our boys and that they can make a difference. If the boys take into consideration my simple encouragement, I believe we can do it. I also would like to encourage Solomon Islanders to pray and support our boys too and as well, our boys too should pray for themselves too.”

The once most decorated footballer was all but praise for the national team and wished them all the best for the main match against Papua New Guinea. When asked about the football of Solomon Islands in general, Batram simply replied, “Football of Solomon Islands in general need a lot of things to be addressed and not just players but for now, the players must be the ones pushing their level up and competing well for their beloved country”. The former Solomon Islands sensational striker is currently the head coach for Vanuatu’s top football side Ifira Black and has continued to enjoy his time as coach.