Honiara, Solomon Islands – Wednesday, 27th May 2026 – In a historic first for the region, the Melanesia Spearhead Group (MSG) Secretariat has partnered with the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) to introduce an 18-month school-based program that harnesses the power of football to promote education, health, gender equality, and youth development.
The initiative will serve as a lasting legacy of the MSG Prime Ministers’ Cup Tournament, ensuring that the positive impact of hosting the event endures beyond the tournament itself. The program will be funded by FIFA, with the MSG Secretariat overseeing fund management and overall administration. SIFF will act as the implementing partner, piloting the initiative in collaboration with five schools across the Solomon Islands and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development.
This program is designed to leverage football as a platform for addressing essential development challenges at the grassroots level. Through organised in-school activities, the initiative aims to: Enhance Education, Promote Health, Advance Gender Equality, and Support Youth Development.
“This partnership marks the first of its kind for the MSG Secretariat and represents a significant milestone in the establishment of the Melanesia Cup in Solomon Islands,” stated Ilan Kiloe, Acting Director General of MSG.
As the inaugural host of this legacy program, SIFF will spearhead the execution on the ground, working closely with five selected schools and the Ministry of Education. The 18-month pilot will emphasise capacity building, coach and teacher training, curriculum-aligned football activities, and monitoring of social outcomes.
“Football has the unique ability to transform lives, and this partnership guarantees that this potential reaches our classrooms and playing fields,” remarked Donald Marahare, President of SIFF. “We appreciate the trust placed in SIFF by the MSG Secretariat and FIFA to pilot this pioneering initiative. With the backing of the Ministry of Education, we will showcase how football can be a pivotal force for youth development across Melanesia.”
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