After a groundbreaking ceremony, long-term development workshop and elective congress, the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) is ready for a busy four years ahead.
SIFF held its 20th Congress in Gizo over the weekend during which Martin Alufurai, MBE, was re-elected as president while Robert Riqeo and Stanley Siapu were re-elected as senior vice-president and vice-president respectively.
The newly elected executive will now follow a four-year roadmap that was established as part of a long term development workshop led by Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) last week.
Among the projects to look forward to is the development of an international playing surface at John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) Stadium in Gizo in the Western Province.
To mark the beginning of the FIFA Goal III Project, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the stadium on Friday 14 August where President Alufurai addressed an expectant crowd.
“This project fulfils an objective that SIFF set itself in 2005,” said President Alufurai.
“It will include the establishment of a technical development centre for football as well as an upgrade of JFK stadium to meet FIFA’s international requirements. I would like to acknowledge FIFA and OFC for their support and also thank the people of Western Province and their government for allowing the land to be developed.”
JFK has been the best playing field in the Western Province for many years but falls short of the standards set at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara.
The FIFA Project gives Solomon Island football fans another reason to celebrate after a string of recent achievements including victories for the Kurukuru Futsal team and the Bilikiki Beach Soccer team at their respective OFC championships last month. The Bilikiki will represent Oceania at their fourth consecutive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Dubai this November.
SIFF will look to build on this success by working with partners to ensure all levels of football – from grassroots to national teams – are well supported. The next elective congress will be held in 2012.
SIFF ELECTIVE CONGRESS – RESULTS
Saturday 15 August, 2009
Gizo, Western Province
President
Martin Alufurai, MBE, re-elected unopposed
Senior Vice President
Robert Riqeo re-elected unopposed
Vice president
Stanley Siapu re-elected unopposed
Treasurer
Aloysio Ma’ahanoa re-elected (10 votes)
Executive Members
Derrick Taka re-elected (19 votes)
Lyndon Bako newly elected (15 votes)
Atkin Vilaka re-elected (13 votes)
Note:
Nelson Hu Boso stood for election as Treasurer but was unsuccessful with eight votes.
Samson Faisi stood for election as an Executive Member but was unsuccessful with 10 votes.
Victor Tekobi stood for election as an Executive Member but was unsuccessful with three votes.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Priscilla Duncan
Oceania Football Confederation
Media & Communications
T: +649 526 5651
F: +649 525 8164
M:+64 (0)21 884 018
Joel Tiller
Oceania Football Confederation
Media & Communications
T: +649 526 5654
F: +649 525 8164
M:+64 (0)21 994 520