The Bilikiki Beach Soccer appeal has provided a much needed boost in morale and resources this morning when a Member of Parliament for West New Georgia and Vona Vona constituency, the Honorable Peter Boyers, handed over a cheque for $20,000 to SIFF General Secretary Eddie Ngava.
The assistance from one of soccer’s staunch supporters was welcomed by SIFF General Secretary Eddie Ngava who commended him for coming forward.
He noted with appreciation the assistance saying Hon. Boyers is amongst the first respondents to SIFF’s latest appeal and thanked him for generously donating money to assist the Bilikiki Beach soccer boys.
He stresses that the MP’s relationship with football dates back to the time of late Allan Boso when his office and facilities were used temporarily as football office.
During the reign of the last government, he was also instrumental in providing financial assistance to SIFF when Solomon Islands qualified for the Nations Cup and World Cup play off in 2004 and 2005.
In recognition of his patronage, SIFF appointed him as the Head of Delegation during the World Cup qualifiers in 2004.
His assistance this morning showed he is not only a staunch supporter but a true friend of football.
In his brief speech, Hon. Boyers says the donation to Bilikiki beach soccer team is made in the spirit that soccer is the inspiration of Solomon Islands in sport.
“This donation to the Bilikiki team is made in the spirit that soccer is the inspiration of our country in sports and most especially our youth that have shown the desire and skills to perform so well for our country and also the pacific,” he adds.
Hon. Boyers says as a leader in this country from West New Georgia and Vona Vona constituency, this donation represents the soccer loving youth and supporters of his constituency and calls on all other MPs to support the spirit that these young ambassadors represent at the World Cup Competition.
“And I know that these young men represents the hopes and expectations of all young soccer fans in this country and with this donation of support from myself and the soccer youth from West New Georgia, we wish the Bilikiki beach soccer contingent the best of soccer,” he adds.
Coincidentally, `Bilikiki’ is the local name of a common bird in the Roviana dialect that is found in many parts of the country particularly on the beaches.
Hon. Boyer’s says his donation is fitting because the name Bilikiki is from his constituency.
It also has a special dance which is popular in the Western part of the country and adopted by other Solomon Islanders when performing local dances overseas.
Meanwhile, SIFF would also like to thank and make mention of Ruby Lee ($200), Thompson Turueke ($200), David Chow who provided a dinner for the Bilikiki and another longtime friend of football Rolland Timo who donated $5,000 toward this cause.
* The Bilikiki Beach soccer team departed for Brazil and the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup yesterday.
The team is expected to engage in a couple of friendly matches with local teams and will travel to the competition venue couple of days before the tournament starts.
The team was in camp at the SIFF Academy this week and were training twice a day at the improvised beach court at Ranadi.
The Bilikiki played against a team from the Mataniko river mouth in the second friendly match recording a win but that is unlikely to represent the standard the Bilikiki will encounter at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.