It’s inspiring that former Solomon Islands national football player and current Police Response Team (PRT) officer, Tome Faisi shares the game of football with one of the remotest villages in Shortland Island, Western Province.
The former defender was part of the PRT Solomon Islands/Papua New Guinea (SI/PNG) Deployment team in 2021 to Harapa village, a Gilbertese settlement where playing football was not popular, unlike volleyball.
Aside from his role in enforcing the law playing football was an escapism.
“Since my time there interacting with the people, they have shown interest in the game,” Faisi said.
“It prompts me to begin this small project with the support from the SIFF Development Department to help and introduce the sport here.
With the help of his fellow officers, they supported the villagers in creating a playing pitch marked with linings and required dimensions – a thrilling endeavor getting everyone involved.
“Our team did out the markings and everything. When I first introduced these, I saw how the youths have shown interest in playing, the beginning of a development pathway in the Western end of the country.
“Volleyball was the common sport, but with growing interest in football it’s fitting and it has grown to date,” Faisi adds.
“For me as a former national player, I want to see changes here through football.
Football coaching and training are the next significant step now that the passion has ignited, Faisi continued.
For these, Faisi received balls from SIFF to roll out the project and this week the youths of Harapa village received them with excitement.
“It just gives you a sense of community, a sense of place, a sense of purpose which I find powerful,” he said.
He also thanked the Western Football Association (WFA).
Overwhelmed, the youths now can’t wait to receive more necessary football training that they have now been identified from isolation.
The youths represented are from Gaomai and Kariki communities.
“Thank you very much SIFF and Faisi for these balls. It has always been our need to have football balls but now with this support,” a youth representative expressed.
With these SIFF will continue to explore ways to keep the ball rolling to the broader communities in the provinces.
-SIFF Media
