The battle for club supremacy in the Solomon Islands is underway as nine of the countries top club sides fight it out at the Solomon Telekom National Club Championships.
The tournament – split into one group of four clubs and another of five clubs – saw perennial powerhouse Marist FC top Group A following an 11-3 thrashing of Avaiki Chiefs.
Marist FC’s rivals Koloale FC defeated Auki Kingz 5-0 to sit in second place on goal difference. Kokohale FC – Group A’s fifth club – received the bye.
In Group B action Kossa FC defeated Katova FC 4-2 to sit top of the pile with Northern Warriors and Paritasi FC yet to play.
Honiara City Mayor Alfred Maetia was present at the tournament’s opening ceremony marked by a colourful parade showcasing the cultural diversity of the participating clubs at Lawson Tama
Stadium.
Speaking at the opening ceremony Cr Alfred remarked that Honiara had gone through difficult times in the past and football was the vehicle that brought those from different islands and ethnicities
together.
“Honiara has faced many challenges in the past because of the differences of view between the ethnic groups who live together in the city. But football is always able to bring them together,” he
added.
Cr Maetia reiterated that the Telekom National Club Championship will no doubt advance this same message that football promotes friendship and cultural understanding as well as determining a football
champion.
“It is my firm belief that the competition will provide good entertainment for the residents of Honiara, while for the participating clubs, there will be a friendly rivalry on the playing field,”
Maetia said.
Standing alongside SIFF President Martin Alufurai Cr Maetia also took the opportunity to thank the major sponsor Solomon Telekom for their sponsorship which enabled teams from the provinces to come
to the national capital.