A milestone sponsorship agreement was signed between the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) and Solomon Islands Electricity Authority, trading as Solomon Power on Tuesday 13th July 2021 at Auki Primary School in Auki with the State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) becoming the major sponsor of the Iumi Plei football grassroots programme.
The sponsorship is totaling up to one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) which will be paid in four instalments for the role out of the programme, training of instructors, festivals and reporting of the event. The sponsorship exhibits a sense of social responsibility for Solomon Power by having regard to the interests of the community in which it operates.
The agreement between Solomon Power and SIFF is a worthy cause as the Iumi Plei programme provide an avenue by which the sponsor and recipient can work together to advance their common goals and benefit the community especially aspiring footballers in the rural areas.
SIFF President William was happy to have Solomon Power onboard after years of planning the programme.
“I am happy that after a lengthy period of planning and negotiation we are here to sign the sponsorship agreement with Solomon Power. This Iumi Plei initiative is part of my long term plan as president and it’s a grassroots football,” he said in his official remarks.
“For the past 20 years we have been branded Brazil of the Pacific but the reality on the ground is we don’t a proper foundation. I am pleased to say that this programme is designed by SIFF for the whole nation-building through football at the rural level to try to get all the boys and girls to improve their football skills and raw talents”.
Mr. Lai believes that the Iumi Plei programme will set the right foundation moving forward.
“When we set a right found we believe very soon we will be challenging on the international stage. We have the mentality and desire to be one of the best football nations.
“We have been planning this programme for the past three years since it is very difficult to get the right partner to drive this concept but we proposed this to Solomon Power last year and I would like to thank Solomon Power for trusting in us to be partners in this milestone grassroots development programme.”
The sponsorship is a historic undertaking for Solomon Power stated by Chairman David Quan in his official remarks during the signing ceremony.
“This is a very historical event for us in the sense that this partnership we have managed to join force with the Solomon Islands Football Federation which we are very grateful for being a partner in this programme,” he said.
“I also would like to thank the Solomon Power Board for supporting this initiative. Solomon Power investment in this programme is very huge and I think this is the first of its kind because we want to make a vast commitment to the children of this country. We are looking forward to the successful implementation of this programme that is will be implemented as of next month”.
Hon. Nelson Lenty, Malaita Province Acting Premier said in his remarks that Malaita is so privileged to host the special event between Solomon Power and SIFF.
“I see the Iumi Plei initiative as a fulfilment of the MARA government policy because our government envisions the advancement of the rural populace,” he stated.
“With the scope of the programme, I realized that it is not only a programme for Malaita but the whole country. I am so privileged as the acting premier of the Malaita province to host this signing of this nationwide event and thank you Solomon Power and SIFF for putting Malaita in your agenda”.
The Iumi Plei Programme is designed to promote football throughout Solomon Islands and introduced structured football training to young players at the grassroots level of the game within the 50 constituencies in the country targeting children from 7-12 years.
Signing the sponsorship agreement were SIFF President William Lai, CEO Leonard Paia and Solomon Power Chairman David Quan and CEO Donald Kiriau witnessed by Malaita Provincial Assembly members and high-level delegations from SIFF which includes Vice President Marlon Houkawara, Youth Development Officer Eddie Rukumana and Solomon Power Board Director John Bosco Houanihau, Manager Legal & Contracts Noel Quan, General Manager Corporate Services (Ag) Droumand Rupert, Manager Marketing Stanley Teahohonoa, Board Secretary Natalie Kairi and Joshua Keniore Manager Outstation Auki.
