LEGENDS WILL BE REMEMBERED

Solomon Islands is well known around the pacific region for breeding some of pacific's most prolific strikers and Menapi was one of these exceptional strikers that came out from Solomon Islands. 

The Temotu lad who has a vast experience under his football belt is a striker that even today Solomon Islands still remember as one of their greatest ever. Menapi who has an advantage on height is considered the most committed striker in the pacific during his playing years. 

Menapi started off with Marist FC from 1998-1999 before moving to Nelson Suburbs from 1999-2000. There Menapi established himself and later moved to Sydney FC to play in the National State league from 2000-2002. Menapi joined Marist again in 2003 and after a short season moved to JP Su'uria from 2004-2006. He later moved back to NZ to play in the ASB for young heart manawatu from the 2006-2007 (one season) before moving to NZ then power house Waitakere United. Menapi enjoyed a positive spell in the white and red jersey for the Waitakere men from 2007-2008 before flying back home to play for his home team Marist from 2008-2010. Menapi faced some injury but was determined to continue his footballing days and moved to Bundaberg and played in the 2011 season before coming back in 2012 and joined his home team Marist again. 

Commins Menapi now the head coach of Western United have been one of the new coaches in Solomon Islands to rise up to the task as senior coach as his Western United coached side won the S-League in to represent Solomon Islands in the O-league in 2015 which the team didn't pulled a convincing performance like their coach have done for the clubs in his playing days. However, experience was the most important factor that Commins Menapi gained and now the veteran footballer is a household name not only for his footballing days but as a head coach of one of Solomon Islands top clubs too. 

Such legend will never be forgotten because Menapi was amongst the few that have brought the joy of football to our happy isles. 

A BLAST FROM THE PAST

When it comes to football in Solomon Islands and whether it be international or national, there is only one name that is probably the most well known name of the many generations of footballers in Solomon Islands 'BATRAM SURI"

Solomon Islands in all our years in the top level in Oceania we are well known for producing some of Pacific lethal strikers and Batram Suri was no exception. He was exceptionally talented, well experienced and have a heart for his nation of Solomon Islands. 

The local Solomon Islander who hails from Malaita is known for his very sharp techniques and advance thinking on the ball when approaching opponents. He always dazzles the defenders with his trademark over ball skill and his right and left power shots that he can launch anytime while running at a high speed. Batram Suri have emerged from the Central Islands for playing for them back in the days and have also later featured for Malaita Eagles in which he was incredible. The former Waimapuru student was a highlight all through his young days and have established himself in Nelson Suburbs in the New Zealand league. He has then played some very good years in NZ and gained a lot of experience that have really contributed to him as a player and also as an individual off the field.

Many supporters of the game in Solomon Islands who knew Batram Suri was a true Footballer didn't know that Batram Suri had to go through some knee surgery to keep him playing up to this day. The struggles this veteran footballer have faced to come up to the level is quiet remarkable and he has inspired a lot of footballers in the game we all love.

Batram Suri now is a coach and have been coaching Ifiri Black and also helped out with some of the youth national teams in their preparation. Wish you Batram a prosperous future in coaching and thank you for making Solomon Islands one of the top footballing nation in the oceania in your time!

ELLIOT A FUTSAL INSPIRATION TO OCEANIA FUTSAL PLAYERS

Solomon Islands is amongst other pacific countries well known for producing some of oceania's lethal strikers in the likes of Batram Suri, Commins Menapi Benjamin Totori, Tinoni Ratu, Joe Luwi, Micah Lea'alafa etc... but when it comes to futsal, there is no doubt one name that will be remembered forever is Elliot Ragomo. A local lad from Solomon Islands who have captured the attention of the world with his leadership qualities and exceptional skill and pace in the game of futsal.

The recent Oceania Futsal World Cup qualifiers have shown how determined the Kurukuru captain was when he and his team mates out of no proper tournaments stepped up and beaten all other pacific countries in the world cup qualifiers. The highlight of the tournament was beating NZ futsalwhites, a team that have been training for 4 years in hopes of beating Kurukuru.

Elliot Ragomo is a hero for Solomon Islands futsal and someone the team looks up to for leadership and maturity on the pitch. Now currently, he led the way again with his fellow player George Stevenson in one of the professional teams in Brazil. Elliot Ragomo indeed have definitely proved to the world and to our young futsal players that nothing is impossible if a player is committed and passionate in what he does.

He excels in a game that is only just started less than 15 years ago and he has risen to the world stage and showing his qualities. Elliot Ragomo will be remembered forever in our futsal history as the most talented and inspirational captain to ever lead Kurukuru to all their futsal tournaments.

Elliot and George will join Solomon Islands national team in Brazil and head to Columbia for the FIFA FUTSAL WORLD CUP later this year.

All the best Solomon Islands Kurukuru and all the best Skipper Elliot Ragomo.

PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE TO MY SOLOMON ISLANDS (07/07/2016)

It’s amazing how a small tiny nation on the world map is celebrating its 38 years of standing by itself through thick and thin. A nation so small that even in the physical map, it can easily be unnoticed when skimming through the world map. This tiny nation of Solomon Islands is where I called home and is a nation I loved the most.

Green is our grass, blue is our rich ocean and yellow reflects the awesome all bright days in our country. The white stars at night reminds us of how God has kept us through waves of troubles faced by the nation and still standing tall as Solomon Islands. We faced a lot in our 38 years and yet we have overcome many of these problems and challenges. We ourselves challenge ourselves every day to try and make our nation better than yesterday and while many failed many kept the belief of Solomon Islands developed like the other most developed countries. The real significance of this tiny nation of Solomon Islands is not through its football or beautiful all summer round year but it is through the people itself. A place on earth where the smile touches your soul and the songs lighten your day. Where the breeze whistle peace and the trees give you comfort. Materially we are nothing compared to others but naturally we are blessed with amazing talents and raw resources some even untapped until today. Indeed, we are blessed beyond measures.

I am not only proud to be a Solomon Islander but I am also honored to be one. It is not only about how beautiful and nice our people can be but it is the culture and diversity of ethnic groups that symbolizes hope for the future not only for Solomon Islands but the world too. Yes, corruption sneaks in our society already and have killed a lot of transparency but I believe God has an impeccable plan for my beloved Solomon Islands. I embrace this nation as worthy as it is and I am thankful that God has appointed me along with many other people to be part of this Solomon Islands. God is good and his mercy endures forever. It has been an amazing 38 years of independency because it is not only about the positive things but the negative things too that sets this nation apart.

Happy 38 years of Independence Solomon Islands.

BUILDING THE SPIRITUAL ASPECT OF OUR FOOTBALL

The most exciting event for all Solomon Islands is football. Indeed, we have so much passion for this game both players and spectators. All the international matches are always packed with people from all across Honiara and also our provinces coming in numbers to watch not only the international overseas players but our very own national representatives carrying our flag. Expectations and observations are all part of the spectators’ role and on many occasions the spectators often got it right too. All in all, football is indeed a sport that unites all of us to one common goal and that is to watch good entertaining and positive football game.

In the recent years, Solomon Islands national teams have all struggled to reach some of our historical positions in the football scene especially in Oceania. Men and women teams struggled in recent years in trying to achieve the results we all hoped for. In reality, the reason behind our defeats is more than just the players’ weaknesses but unfortunately, I am not concerned about the reasons that hinder us from achieving our best football results. I have been a footballer myself and also a huge fan of all Solomon Islands football teams and players and one particular thing I have sensed and wish to implement in my encouragement to our players is our spiritual side of the game. I believe, this particular aspect of Solomon Islands football has really dropped beyond the actual level that it should be maintained or even raised higher. Whether we like it or not but our country is founded under the spiritual prayers and blessings from God and therefore, we have technically offered our Solomon Islands from day one to God. In our national anthem, we sang “God save our Solomon Islands from shore to shore. Blessed all our people and all our land”. This is a significant proclamation that God you are our leader. One interesting fact that I have managed to see is through our beloved Kurukuru. This futsal game is purely founded on ministering for God and eventually all these Kurukuru players have inherited the talent of playing futsal through a more spiritual way and guidance from the early coaches. Yes, the boys may go about and drink and do some silly stuff but they have always remembered that it is only through God that their achievement come about and it really strikes me to see them acknowledging God before and after tournaments and their discipline through the preparation for tournaments is exceptional. Yes, our football needs a little encouragement in terms of our spiritual standing.

One interesting fact that I myself have used to believe is that football is just a game and spiritual aspect of it is just something we could just involve and make it causal because winning games depends on individuals but then I realize that for Solomon Islands this is not the case. Solomon Islands, we are a nation under God and our foundation from Independence till now is through God. The only reason, we have been struggling is that the spiritual side of things in our football and also our society have been kept at a simple level of appreciation and custom but we need to consider having a personal relationship with God. I believe we still have a lot of time and now is definitely a time we should take into consideration building our spiritual aspect of football again. It is not about what denomination players come from but it is about having the relationship with God and the actual fear of the Lord. I believe with all my heart, that if our football from the Administration right to the water boys on the field acknowledge and realize our position in God then definitely without a single doubt, SOLOMON ISLANDS WILL BE PLAYING IN THE WORLD CUP.

Finally, the incredible thing about our God is that despite all of our weaknesses we can always go to him and seek his forgiveness. Yes, we all are not perfect and especially us footballers, we have weaknesses too but our God is great and he is awesome. Please all my fellow Solomon Islands footballers and everyone else. Let us embrace our God in our football and I believe positive things will come and Solomon Islands can be a positive impact to other fellow Pacific Island nation for football and also for God.  God bless Solomon Islands.