The news comes as music to the ears of the football-mad nation’s futsal players and fans alike, who have been calling for a national stadium to be built for the indoor code since the Kurukuru’s success in qualifying for the FIFA Futsal World Cup in 2008.
The proposed site is adjacent to the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) headquarters and academy in Honiara and the construction cost – expected to exceed USD $162,000 – will be met by FIFA through its Goal Project initiative. The programme allows each member association of FIFA to receive funding for football development projects that respond to the special needs of their national associations.
The federation has also applied for part of the FIFA Financial Assistance Programme bonus to go towards the project.
SIFF small-sided games development officer Victor Waiia believes the futsal stadium will provide the missing link for all futsal-related development and says the federation is looking forward to its completion with great anticipation.
“The stadium will be a dream come true,” he says.
“It will answer the need for a venue for technical programmes, competitions and the national teams to train. This is the key piece of the puzzle that we have been waiting for all along.”
The need for a proper venue for futsal has been building ever since the code was introduced to the country a decade ago. Tournaments for all levels of the game are already being talked about as SIFF looks ahead to the opening of the stadium.
The time frame for work to be completed has not been confirmed but the new facility is expected to be ready for use by June 2012. Development will be carried out in phases and the first phase of the project is focused on the playing surface, changing rooms, toilet facilities and roof. The second phase will cover seating and other sections of the stadium.
“The aim is to have this facility ready as early as possible, hopefully in time to assist the national futsal team with their World Cup preparations,” SIFF general secretary Eddie Ngava says.
The next FIFA Futsal World Cup is set to take place in Thailand from November 2 to 18 and Solomon Islands will be making their second consecutive appearance at the event after qualifying by winning the OFC Futsal Championship in Fiji in May.
For more on Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb

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