The current state of the COVID-19 has disrupted football and futsal competitions in the country but it doesn’t curtail the work of the Sports and Leadership Training (SALT) programme that is developing new leaders, training coaches, referees and administrators.
SALT continue to reach schools in Guadalcanal under the leadership of Nacaniel Seru.
SIFF has signed a MOA with SALT to develop grassroots futsal and this week the technical department through its small sided development officer hands out balls to assist SALT coaches and trainers.
Technical Director, Moses Toata is pleased to see the progress SALT has contributed to the development of futsal in the country.
The SALT team consist of SIFF Futsal and Beach Soccer Development Officer, Dickson Kadau and a number of senior Solomon Islands futsal players.
“Coach Kadau introduced some basic knowledge of futsal which is quite helpful for the youths and children.
“The participants were divided into groups according to their age categories.
“The young people had the opportunity to learn tactical attacking and defending and it has been a time worthy,” a statements from SALT reads.
“SIFF Technical Department is happy to support the work that has been done by our Futsal Grassroot Development partner SALT led by Pr Nacaniel Seru, ” he said.
“While Honiara is still under the SoE restrictions due to the Covid 19, sports activities should be encouraged to continue.
‘SIFF is pleased to see Futsal activties going on in parts of Guadalcanal were the sport is newly introduced and welcomed”.
Toata highlighted the importance of healthy lifestyle as more kids have shown interest in the SALT outreach programme.
“While it is encouraging to see many kids wanting to be part of this programme, we also advise that the standard health practices of hand washing and physical distancing is practiced as much as practical, ” Toata insisted.
“With all our activities in Honiara put off by the current situation, SIFF is considering the possibility of starting its programmes in the provinces while Honiara is still under the state of emergency for another 3 months.”
Seru recently credited SALT school visitation, running of the Bulk Shop League as the backbone of Solomon Islands dominance of futsal in the region.
“A big thank you to the Ministry of home affairs, SIFF president and CEO for providing all the logistics and airfares for our children each year we traveled to play in the annual Australian State Championships,’’ the Fijian said.
“Thank you for partnering and believing in the work of the Church through SISC/SALT to develop and nurture God given abilities in Solomon Children that will help them and the Nation to excell in the game of futsal in the Oceania and World standard.’’
Seru also lauds New South Wales-based Pastor Brian Codrington who helped introduce futsal to the country back in 2002.
Pastor Brian and his family at Dural Youths provided support to Solomon Islands teams in Canberra during the duration of the State Championships.
