The 4-day competition, held recently at DC Park each of Honiara, attracted 10 participating teams and hundreds of spectators who were treated to the highest level of beach soccer skills ever witnessed locally.
Honiara grabbed the top prize of SBD$8000 and the Our Telekom National Beach Soccer Championship trophy after defeating Northern United by 10 – 2 in the final. More than 300 people turned up to witness the historic final earlier this month.
Northern United were also impressive throughout the competition but in the end had to lay down to the might of the Honiara side who mounted a sustained attack from all corners of the pitch. Northern United received SBD$4000 for their efforts.
The 3rd/4th playoff was won by Western Kikio who beat Makira Ulawa Sharks 5 – 4 to claim the SBD $3000 third-place prize.
The championship was dominated by a strong show of talent and high level of skills from the 120 players that took part.
One of the new stars that arose from the championship was Michael Misitana who scored a total of 18 goals to claim the Golden Foot Award. His average of 3.6 goals per match is commendable by any standards. National beach soccer team member Hickley Rence came second in the golden boot with 17 goals.
A selection panel for the National Beach Soccer Team was also at work during the championship looking for players.
“This has been a great experience for us because the talent in the teams is simply amazing,” said Moel Wagapu, head of the national beach soccer selection panel.
“We certainly have our work cut out for us in coming up with the final list of selected players.”
SIFF General Secretary Eddie Ngava said that the competition is a success in that it has brought to the surface more beach soccer players that have the potential to represent the country.
“I must say that I was very happy with the enthusiasm of the players and how they adapted into playing this new code,” Ngava said. “I believe that the national championship will be the catalyst for widespread adoption of beach soccer in rural Solomon Islands.”
The first edition of the National Beach Soccer Championship was sponsored by a major local football partner Our Telekom.
Award Winners
Winners: Honiara
Runners-up: Northern United
Third: Western Kikio
Fourth: Makira Ulawa Shakrs
Fair Play Award: Northern United
Golden Foot Award: Michael Misitana (Honiara) scored 18 goals
Player of the Tournament: Coleman Kabini (Honiara)
Golden Glove Award: George Lifu (Western Kikio)
Story and photo courtesy SIFF Media
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