Defending champions Sokamora will be joined in the competition by former finalists Honiara West, Kossa, Northern United, Manihots and Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) Poi, as well as two teams draw from the Bilikiki national training squad, the Sliders and the Fliers.
Excitement has built amongst the camps over the last few days and the teams have spent much of that time honing their fitness and skills and getting up to speed on their tactics.
As expected, the most well prepared are the Bilikiki pair, who have stuck to an extensive training programme since August.
Despite boasting well-known beach soccer names such as James Naka and Nicholas Muri, the Bilikiki representatives will not be resting on their laurels. In the last edition of the challenge, both Biliki teams failed to make the final. One did not even progress past the group stages while the other put in a disappointing third-placed finish.
Bilikiki team manager Reuben Oimae says the players are fully primed for the event this year but stresses that winning is not their ultimate focus.
“The teams are ready and we believe they can win,” he says. “But for us the competition is also about doing well as an individual because our players will be under the microscope for final selection into the 2012 national beach soccer team. “
The group stages will be played on Friday and Saturday while the semi-finals and finals will take place on Sunday.
For more on Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb

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