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.

OUR COMMUNITY IS OUR PLACE TO GIVE BACK

Honiara has experienced many negative activities over the recent months and most of these activities are a result of many youths living around without jobs. For the small community in Kukum, it is a different story when it comes to their youths. The boys living around the community yesterday took responsibility in their hands by working together on their community road which leads from the Kukum field through their community. Many of these youths are living in the community for many years and have called Kukum their home.

                                                     

The work began with one intention and that is to give back to the community that has trusted them to live amongst their homes. Solomon Islands international footballer and proud Kukum Resident, Gagame Feni spoke about the youths work by saying, “I believe that this is a positive image for this community and also for this youth. I lived here in Kukum for many years and I know these youth personally. They all came out and helped and asked nothing in return, to me, that’s what giving back to the community means”. Gagame who also was part of the boys repairing the road has spoken highly of the community members for bringing water and food for the boys as they continued their repairing of the road. 

One of the most touching moments of the day was when these boys were asked about the Asian couple who were victims of the brutal killing last month. One of the boys Jack was quite emotional when we spoke about the couple, “I am one of the oldest youths living in this area and I know this Asian couple really well. They were like our own fellow community member. Their shop was the heart of Kukum once. We are so sad to hear about the bad news”. The boys have stepped up their community security following this brutal killing by building a small station where they can stay while trying in keeping the community safe.

Every corner of Honiara is now considered to be dangerous as people around us are all strangers. For many, the time of safety has already left Honiara but for these youths, they still believe that Honiara can be a better place if every community works together and build each other instead of hiding away in their own homes. The Kukum community also contributed to a big feast later in the evening to share their gratitude for the boys and their work in the community.

"I AM ONE OF THE PROUDEST CITIZENS OF SOLOMON ISLANDS"

Solomon Islands futsal sensation and captain, Elliot Ragomo has continued to shine for Solomon Islands on the futsal world stage throughout his entire career. The soft-spoken but passionate Solomon Islander currently in training with Brazil’s professional futsal side Minas Tênis Clube team. The Sports club of Minas Tênis Clube is one of the biggest sports clubs in Brazil. The club has many teams across all different sporting codes linked to them. Futsal is one of the most played games in Brazil and for Elliot Ragomo, it is an honor for him to be where he is.

In an exclusive interview with Elliot Ragomo, the Solomon Islands inspirational futsal player expressed his gratitude and honor to be where he is. “I am one of the proudest citizens of Solomon Islands to have ever lived. I thank God for the talent to play this amazing game of futsal. I want to acknowledge Marist Club and Ysato Marine for sponsoring me and believing in me. My words of appreciation are not enough but I would also like to thank Solomon Islands for believing in me”. The emotional Elliot also continued to thank his fellow team players but especially his roommate Augusto Rodrigues for welcoming and assisting him to settle in his new environment in Brazil.

Solomon Islands Kurukuru national team is Oceania’s pride when it comes to the game of futsal. The reigning champions are without a doubt, the best futsal national team in the pacific. The household futsal names such as Jack Wetney, Micah Lea’alafa, James Egeta and Elliot Ragomo to name are few, are all pioneers of the game for Solomon Islands. Elliot Ragomo who had worn the captain’s armband since his youth days in futsal is not only an inspiration to Solomon Islands futsal fans but to his own fellow teammates as well. Mr. Ragomo who have been instrumental for Solomon Islands all throughout their world cup outings is also dubbed as one of the greatest sportsmen in Solomon Islands.

Brazil is home to many of the world’s greatest futsal players and one well-known is non-other than the man they called Falcao. This is a player who has graced futsal for many years and continued to be an inspiration for every other futsal players including the Solomon Islander, Elliot Ragomo himself. The Brazilian legend, Falcao took no time in calling Elliot Ragomo personally and welcoming him to Brazil few hours after Elliot arrived in Brazil. The Kurukuru skipper was emotional when speaking about the call he had received from Falcao himself. “I received a video call from Falcao. Yes, the world’s greatest futsal player, Falcao. He welcomed me personally. I am lost for words and honestly, I will say it again, I am one of the proudest citizens of Solomon Islands. This is a player I idolized and inspired by and to receive a call from him is unbelievable”. Elliot Ragomo who had already settled well in his new club is looking forward to a very good season in the professional league and is hoping to even improve more and be able to perform at his best. Elliot concluded the interview by saying "I believe to be able to work amongst world's best futsal players and coaches is a dream for any futsal player. I thank God for this dream that came true for me".

The game of futsal has definitely taken Solomon Islands by storm and the recent Futsal Wantok Cup was just a glimpse of how passionate Solomon Islanders are towards this game. Solomon Islands national futsal skipper is an example of hard work and determined futsal player. Someone who have started from a humble beginning and made his career an inspirational one for many other Solomon Islanders.