The 3rd Annual Sirubai Beach Soccer Tournament 2020 ended in a high note on Monday this week at Kubolia Beach Soccer Stadium, South Vella Island Western Province.
The tournament was held at Kubolia Beach Soccer Stadium from 1st to 6th January 2020 with a total of 18 teams that participated in the tournament. The event was officiated by a former national Beach Soccer player, Mr Benjamin Mela who was the founder of this stadium as such.
The event was masterminded by Sirubai Voko Tribe Association (SVTA) in collaboration with Western Football Association (WFA) and in-kind support from Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF). The purpose of this activity was to promote this football code in rural areas. The recent international tour of National Bilikiki team has proved that grassroots players can bring about positive change to the competency of the team with the natural talents and skills they possess.
The local organising committee of the tournament has decided to take a new initiative in promoting this code by organising free game with no registration fees whilst trophies and medals are provided by partners such as WFA (trophies worth of $1,000), SIFF (equipment), SVTA (trophies and medals worth of $2,000) and Mr. Kaniki’s family for providing transportation for referees and officials (worth of $3,000). Moreover, other business houses that donate in-kind support towards the tournament were; Solomon Telekom (2 x mobiles) and Sol rice Company (10 x 20 Kg rice bags).
The communities within Sirubai region (Beiporo to Kibiri) highly appreciated the approach that the local organising committee of the tournament has taken for that matter.
The chairman of SVTA (Mr Leonard Kuboto) applauded new teams who participated for the first time in the Beach Soccer tournament. The new teams showed a high level of skills and talents with a promising future for this football code in this region. In particular, Kibiri FC showed very competitive games during the cause of the tournament. Despite, being as the newcomer in this tournament however they reached grand final and losers final.
A special thank you was given to Mr Rupert, for leading the young beach Soccer referees during the cause of the games. The LOC is very optimistic about the future of this game in this region with his leadership.
At the end of the tournament, Mudskipper Orange led by Captain Kiven Koipala who is a national Bilikiki player was crowned as the undisputed champion for Sirubai Beach Soccer Tournament Championship for the 3rd time in a row.
They won the grand final by a clear 3 goals to nil to Kibiri 1 FC from Kibiri village. The third place was claimed by Kibiri 2 FC who is also a newcomer to this football code but is very competitive in the tournament.
Individual awards were given to Kenert (Bicycle kick goal scorer – Senior Green FC) Roney Dickson (Top goal scorer with 10 goals – Mudskipper Orange FC), Henry for Best Goal Keeper (Kibiri 1 FC) Best Defender goes to Mr Opety Zabe (Harbour Beach 2) and Clayton Kozamaja (Most improved Player – Harbour Beach 1).
During the official opening of the program, Mr. Henry Kaniki highlighted the importance of sports in the community. That youths are the main targeted group and this tournament has promoted positive changes to the lives of the people in Sirubai.
Mr. Kaniki also, called for Chiefs and Landowners to open their land for such activities for the betterment of our younger generation.
According to Chief Caleb Bukiri, he mentioned that surrounding people have benefited in one way of the other through the selling local goods, strengthening the relationship among the people and moreover celebrating the New Year 2020 in a positive manner.
The LOC of this annual tournament invites interested teams to participate in the upcoming tournament this December 2020.
Courtesy: Henry Kaniki
