HONIARA: The Wantok Cup is set to become a yearly football competition for Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, it was revealed on Monday.
President for Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) Martin Alufurai confirmed this when he spoke at the closing ceremony and presentation of prizes in the inaugural Wantok Cup.
Alufurai said officials from SIFF and Vanuatu Football Federation held a meeting in Honiara on Sunday and agreed the Wantok Cup would become an annual event.
He said each country on the occasion of its independence celebration would host the Wantok Cup.
This means Vanuatu will be hosting the second Wantok Cup for 2008 around end of this month and PNG on September 2008.
Vanuatu celebrates its 28 years of independence on July 30 and PNG turns 33 on September 16, 2008.
The host country is expected to put up two teams with the two visiting Melanesian neighbours making the number of teams to four.
Last week SIFF General Secretary Eddie Ngava in a press conference said it is likely the PNG Football Association will foot the bills of both Solomon Islands and Vanuatu teams as a way of compensation for its absence during the inaugural Wantok Cup in Honiara.
However Ngava said this is yet to be confirmed, but its shows PNG’s commitment to the tournament despite pulling out in the last minute due to financial reasons.
Meanwhile Alufurai reiterated the success of the first Wantok Cup, which ended in Honiara on Monday.
He congratulated the Solympics Team for winning the Telekom Wantok Cup after drawing 3-3 with Solomon Bonito Thursday last week and won 2-1 against Vanuatu national side on Saturday.
Alufurai also commended Our Telekom for sponsoring the cash prizes of the participating teams.
The SIFF President also used the occasion to congratulate the Solomon Islands Government on its 30th anniversary of independence.
“On behalf of SIFF and Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) I would like to wish the Government of Solomon Islands and its people a happy birthday,” he added.
Alufurai also thanked the soccer fans and the Honiara public for making the first Wantok Cup a success.
“You have shown good support and behaviour which contributed to the success of this Wantok Cup,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer of Our Telekom Cup Mr Loyley Ngira also thanked SIFF and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for a successful tournament.
He said in every successful soccer fiesta like the Wantok Cup, there are hardworking people behind the scene ensuring the tournament runs smoothly.
Ngira expressed that Our Telekom was proud to be the major sponsor of this inaugural Wantok Cup.
Story provided by Priestley Habru from the Island Sun Newspaper