The event was staged to coincide with Universal Children’s Day, a United Nations initiative held each year to promote international togetherness and awareness among children. UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, promotes and coordinates this special day, which also works towards improving children’s welfare.
As Just Play is a programme that likewise aims to improve the lives of young children – by using football as a tool to promote physical activity while encouraging education, community involvement, gender equity and healthy living – it ties in perfectly with the ideals of Universal Children’s Day.
As well as the gathering in Honiara, children from Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga and Vanuatu joined in the fun during a series of activities across the Pacific.
The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) focused on the importance of healthy living during its celebrations, which were attended by over 500 children.
SIFF President Martin Alufurai addressed the participants in the opening ceremony and stressed the role of football as a tool for social development.
“The theme for today, “Just Play for Health”, is important and underlines Just Play’s role as a tool for education and empowerment,” Alufurai said.
“There are many health issues that we are faced with in our country and Just Play performs an important role by giving us the opportunity to reach out to our young children through football.”
Benedict Esibaea, director of primary education for the ministry of education and human resource development, also spoke at the opening ceremony and targeted the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
“Tobacco and alcohol are not going to help in your endeavour to be sports men and women,” he said. “As a sportsperson, you should not smoke or consume alcohol and I ask that you take this message with you through the Just Play programme.”
The final speaker was William Ewing, third secretary to the Australian High Commissioner, and his speech emphasised the objectives of the Australian government for Just Play in the Solomon Islands.
“The Australian government is a major funder of Just Play in the Pacific,” he said. “Australia wants the Solomon Islands to grow as a strong and stable country so young people like you can take the full benefit from life. Sports is a big part of the initiative Australia is taking in Solomon Islands and Just Play is the programme we are working through.”
After the formalities were conducted, the children then took to the field for a day of football competitions. The U-12 division was won by Koa Hill Community while the U-10 trophy went to Naha Seventh Day Adventist Primary School.
Developed by the OFC social responsibility and technical departments, Just Play was launched in Tonga in October 2009 and has since been introduced in Vanuatu, Tahiti, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Auckland, New Zealand.
OFC will continue to work closely with UEFA and the Government of Australia – through its agencies the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) – to roll out the Just Play programme across the Pacific. The Australian Government has shown its support to the project by contributing AU$4million.
The confederation has also been working in New Zealand with Special Olympics (NZ) on a Just Play programme for people with mental disabilities and launched the new initiative in Samoa last month.
For more on Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb

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