HONIARA, 16 Oct: The organizers of the Solomon Cup tournament which started at the weekend are appealing to patrons coming to Lawson Tama to come somber. This came about following some incidences involving drunkards who came for the matches at the weekend. And because of this, it has issued a warning that it will not tolerate those who think they can come and get away when drunk.
“We have permanent police presence at Lawson Tama during the weeklong tournament and we will ask the police to arrest those who cause nuisance within our vicinity,” a statement from the committee says. The committee has also warned those selling coconuts to do it elsewhere and not so close to the ground to prevent people using the fruits to hurt others. It issued this warning following observations at the weekend that people have sold coconuts near the multipurpose Hall.
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HONIARA, 16 Oct: Honiara Warriors and Temotu Arrrows were leading their respective pools after day one of competition on Saturday. The Warriors had to come from behind to eventually beat a very determined Real Kakamora 3-2 after getting an earlier scare. Kakamora’s marksman, Rex Honu scored twice in the first quarter of the first half before Solomon Islands senior national team midfielder Alick Maemae threw a lifeline for his side when he scored from an awkward angle.
Not long after Elliot Suri cancelled out Honu’s two goals to put the match on equal terms as the two teams went out for the break. Real with mostly youth players lifted their performance in the second half but it became obvious that the Warriors had by now settled into the match and were able to play out last 40 minutes with much ease.
And it paid off for them when National midfielder and Warriors striker Jack Samani added his team’s third to seal victory. But even with goal, Makira kept up the pressure and forced Honiara into desperate defending at times.
In other matches Guadalcanal Hornets narrowly beat Central Shields by a goal to nil while Isabel Frigates drew with much fancied Malaita Eagles outfit.
National Under 17 and Junior Flamingo striker Obed Havimana powered a right foot shot which deflected off the head of one of the Eagles defenders and hit the back of the for the equalizer from about forty yards away.
The goal silenced the patriotic Eagles crowd which came in numbers to see their heroes in the likes of Nelson Kabitana, Mark Ellison Kii and Henry Koto.
Shedrack Ramoni’s breathstoping saves, saved the day for Frigates who at times had to rely on him.
HONIARA, 16 Oct: Honiara City’s Chairlady Mrs. Hazel Lulei officially opened the revived Solbrew Solomon Cup tournament last Saturday following a colourful parade by the participating teams. Isabel Frigates were the only team that missed the opening because they had only arrived several hours earlier and needed time to rest.
In her speech, she highlighted that through this tournament participants from the 10 football associations will be able to intertact and uphold the true meaning of ‘sportmanship’.
She says it was heartening to witness and feel the profound spirit of oneness in the purpose and ownership of football all football associations towards these games.
“I hope that after everything is gone and done, we will return to our respective residences and provinces with cherished memories of these games and build on the news skills that you have acquired,” she told them.
SIFF President Martin Alufurai says his federation is committed and will make sure that this tournament is bi-annual or hosted every two years.
“The executive under former SIFF President Adrian Wickham have agreed to hold it ever two years and my present executive is committed to it,” he adds.
The opening saw the participating teams parading in their colours and led into the grounds by youths wearing traditional costumes of the respective provinces.
SIFF was fortunate to have secured the Royal Solomon Islands Police band which led the procession and also played the national anthem before the tournament was declared open by the chairlady.
Though not many people witnessed the opening, hundreds flooded the ground when the four scheduled matches were played.
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HONIARA, 16 Oct: About 10 to 15,000 people piled into Lawson Tama for the opening day of the Solbrew Solomon Cup tournament which officially started last Saturday.
This long overdue competition was last played in 1999 at the Western Provincial Capital Gizo and Malaita Eagles and Temotu Arrows were the two finalists. The former won the trophy beating Arrows by just a goal.
Organisers of the event are optimistic that more people would come out to support their respective teams during the course of the week.
Following an assessment of the day one of competition, the organisers have indicated they will beef up security for the semis and grandfinal in anticipation of huge crowds turning up to watch the matches.
Updates by F Pituvaka,via Ralph Oli
