FOREIGN IMPORTS CONVERGE ON IDC

BA- A record number of overseas-based players will feature in the 2008 Inter District Competition at Govind Park from tomorrow.
Nine super premier teams — Navua, Lautoka, Nadi, Suva, Nasinu, Labasa, Nadroga, Tavua and Rewa have resorted to fielding a total of 33 players from abroad namely Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to stop champions Ba from winning yet another title.
The biggest drawcard is Navua’s Danish international Rasmus Henson, who plays for the champion Valur Reykjavik club in Iceland and recently featured in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
Nadroga is the biggest buyer this IDC after recruiting six players from Australia.Lautoka has three from Australia, while Navua is banking on its two Kiwi imports.
Ravuama Madigi’s Nadi has three Solomon Islanders and a former Fiji Under-20 defender, now based in Australia.
Nasinu has three Solomon Islanders and Canada-based Jainitesh Narayan, who plays for Calgary United.
Suva has three players from Vanuatu, Labasa is banking on its two from Australia and a former rep, playing in New Zealand has returned home to boost Tavua’s chances.
The 33 are Che Bunce, Mathew Williams, Rasmus Henson (Navua), George Gulu, Aldrine Kilua, Robert Mafane, Jainitesh Narayan (Nasinu), Samir Ali, Stewart Bola, Waisake Sabutu, Lucian Sikawee, Wesley Olea, Takaya Driso, Junior Kluivert (Rewa), Stanley Waita, George Lui, Godwin Bebeu, Inoke Boseilala (Nadi), Nikola Zonjic, Goran Subara, Ali Cem Akbal (Lautoka), Shivan Sami, Angatesh Murti Rao (Labasa), Vimlesh Naicker (Tavua), Veresa Toma, Esala Masi, Rohitendra Sharma, Vuko Tomasevic, Tayfun Derrimol, Tolgay Ozbey (Nadroga), Hamtton Pitu, Tony Chillia, Seimata Chillia (Suva).
Fiji FA chief executive Bob Kumar said tournament rules allowed for three foreigners in every team.
“They will definitely add flavour to the tournament, but at the expense of regular local players.
“Over 30 players have been registered and this includes local players based in overseas, who are coming back to play for the district teams.
"This is the first time for so many foreign players to play in the IDC. In a way it’s good for us because when these players go back, hopefully the will open avenues for our local players."

Source : Solo Times

Parliamentarians Said to Have Misused SBD$9m.

The Ministry of Finance is reported by the Office of the Auditor General to have committed extensive breaches of normal procedures and financial instructions in the disbursement of a $9-Million Fisheries Project in 2007.

Although the details are not made available by the OAG there are clear indications of the strong possibility that most of these were paid to MPs and their supporters and totally outside the 2007 Appropriation Act (the actual 2007 budget as passed by Parliament).

The "Fisheries Project" is one of the issues covered in an AOG Report on the "Status of Audits of Solomon Islands Government Entities as at 30th June 2008" released on the 28th August 2008. It was tabled in Parliament as the National Parliament Paper number 18 of 2008. The Express understands that the Parliament's Public Accounts Committee has still not looked into this report.

The Report says that "the extent of breaches of normal procedures and financial instructions suggests this was a deliberate act to circumvent the process of legal use of government money."The report adds that the manner in which the money was distributed suggests political favoritism during a critical period of political uncertainty in the government rather than considering the areas of greatest need in the country.

Out of the $9-Million more than three million dollars ($3.8 Million) of the project fund was paid directly to Members of Parliament under a "2007 Fisheries Micro Project."The Report says that there were many discrepancies in relation to this payment which breached normal payment process for the legal use of government money.

Although the Report does not provide any other details relating to the whole disbursement of the funds, it also says that "a further $350,000 was also paid as a direct transfer for this same Fisheries Micro Project which was not supported by adequate documentation."The issue first emerged on the 19th November 2007 when the former Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources formally requested the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) to investigate his concern about an amount of $6-Million which had been paid out as small grants to a number of fishing projects.

The former Fisheries Acting PS wanted in particular the OAG to investigate the creation of an account known as "Rural Fisheries Enterprises Account" which had a total of $9-Million that had been paid out.The OAG June 2008 Report however points out that under the 2007 Development Budget, only provided funding for fishing related projects totaling $4.1 Million; a Project Development Fund with $1.1-Million, funded by the FFA and a Support to Rural Tuna Fisheries project of $3-Million funded by the Solomon Islands Government.

The June 2008 OAG Report says that the primary objective of the audit was to investigate why the Rural Fisheries Enterprises Account was established and assess whether the process for paying these grants was transparent.One of the key findings of the OAG Report is that a total of $9.3-Million which was paid out under the "Rural Enterprises account was not in accordance with the Appropriation Act (2007 Budget as passed by Parliament) and was not supported by a work plan.

The Report also adds that the method of distribution of the cheques was not in accordance with the normal payment procedures.The Report describes the breaches as significant shortcomings and suggesting that political favoritism was involved at a time when a change of government was imminent towards the end of last year.

The OAG strongly recommends that further investigation be carried out into this $9-Million project and to determine whether or not the money was used to buy the canoes, OBM's, eskies and other equipment fur rural community fishing enterprises.Sources within the Ministry of Finance has informed the National Express that the transactions took place during the lobbying period at the end of last year and it is one example of how MPs have manipulated the system to get cash into their hands using methods that would make accountability for the funds difficult.

Source: Solomon Times

Russia Beats Kurukuru 31-2

Records tumbled today at the Gimnasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia. Russia's 31-2 goal victory over the Solomon Islands is a new record for the FIFA Futsal World Cup, beating Brazil's 29-2 goal thrashing of Guatemala eight years ago.

In doing so, it was also the match which provided the most goals in the tournament's history. 

Yet, despite all of the Russian goals, the loudest cheers were reserved for Jack Wetney and Micah Lea'alafa who grabbed the two consolation strikes for the Solomon Islands in the 23rd and 28th minutes respectively. 

Pula, the Russian No7, who grabbed a hat-trick of hat-tricks during the match has also become the record goalscorer in one FIFA Futsal World Cup match. His record came in the 28th of the match to put his side 24-1 up. 

History was made ten minutes later when Nikolay Pereverzev slotted home to break the record. Ironically in a game which saw four players score four goals or more, it was his first and only goal of the match. 

A total of 69 per cent of Russia's shots on goal found their way past the Solomons' unfortunate keeper Alick Lioka and they now return to Oceania with no points from their four games, having conceded 69 goals, an average of 17.25 per game. 

Source : Solo Times


FIFA.com/futsalworldcup

Solomon Signs Chancery Contract Agreement in PNG

The Solomon Islands Government has signed the Contract Agreement and Tender Documents for the construction of the New Solomon Islands High Commission Chancery Building Complex in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.


The Agreement was signed in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Friday 3 October 2008 by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade, Mr Barnabas Anga on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government and Mr Ren Erjun, Chief Economist of the China Railway Construction & Engineering Group (PNG Limited). The signing ceremony was also witnessed by the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, H.E. Mr Bernard Bata'anisia, and Representatives of the Papua New Guinea Government, China Railway and Construction & Engineering Group (PNG Limited) as well as Project Management Team.The signing of the Contract Agreement and Tender Documents now paves the way for construction work to start at the New Solomon Islands High Commission in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.During the signing ceremony, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & External Trade, Mr Barnabas Anga said the signing ceremony is a historic and important occasion as it formalizes the completion of all necessary works and marks the start of the construction work of the New Solomon Islands High Commission Chancery in Papua New Guinea. He added that the construction of the Solomon Islands Chancery Building Complex will be the first of its kind to be undertaken outside of Solomon Islands. He further stated the current Government of Prime Minister, Hon Dr Derek Sikua is committed to this project and will see to it that the Chancery is successfully completed with the official opening of the Chancery Complex scheduled for the later half of 2009. This Chancery adds another milestone to the close and warm relations Solomon Islands has with Papua New Guinea, our closest Melanesian Neighbour and a country which we have very special and close ties, says Mr Anga.The Permanent Secretary further stated that this project is in line with the Foreign Policy Objective of the Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement in that it will reduce some of our fixed costs hence providing opportunities for our Overseas Missions to be cost effective in delivery of its responsibilities. The Chancery will also serve to promote and advance Solomon Islands interest and presence in Papua New Guinea as well as to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries. It will also serve as centre of dissemination information on Solomon Islands in Papua New Guinea.The Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs & External Trade conveyed his Government sincere thanks and gratitude to the Papua New Guinea Government for its assistance and support towards the Chancery construction.Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Mr Bernard Bata'anisia, said the total cost of the Chancery project is about K7.4 Million, which is equivalent to SBD$21 Million and funded by Papua New Guinea Government under its bilateral assistance programme to Solomon Islands. The New Solomon Islands High Commission Chancery Building Complex will house the High Commission's Diplomatic Office, Executive Residences for its Diplomatic Staff as well as Recreational Hall for hosting of social events and gatherings.Construction work on the New Solomon Islands High Commission Chancery is expected to start soon, says High Commissioner Bata'anisia.

Source : Solo Times

World Teachers' Day Celebrated Today

The World Teachers Day was celebrated today at the Police Sports Ground, this followed their thanksgiving service yesterday at the St Barnabas Cathedral.

The thanksgiving mass held yesterday opened their two days celebration, which continues all day today. Today's program will also include activities such as sports which will be played on a 'knock-out' basis. Earlier this morning, teachers from most schools in Honiara assembled in front of the Town Council area which was then followed by a teacher's parade to the Police Club sports ground.The theme for this year's annual event is 'Teachers Matters' which indicates the shortage of qualified teacher's world-wide. This problem is considered as one of the biggest obstacles to achieving quality education. According to this year's celebrations, the whole program is focused on appropriate professional training for quality education. Teachers are very grateful that this year's event were funded by the UNESCO Commission for Solomon Islands with an amount of SBD$20,000. The program was delayed until this afternoon, due to the inconsistent electricity supply. The celebrations will conclude later this evening with presentations and live music entertainment provided by the One Drop Band.


Source : Solomon Times

In the Land of the Giants

The amount of Futsal courts that Solomon Islands and Brazil have could be described by the same word: 'countless'.

It is a apt for Brazil because there would simply be too many to count, and just as apt for Solomon Islands because there is simply nothing to count (the Mulit-Purpose Hall where Solomon Kurukuru train and play is many metres smaller than a standard Futsal court). This fact should give an appreciation of the challenge that Kurukuru faced when they entered the Nilson Nelson Hall in Brasilia today.Local newspapers contained previews of the match with headlines such as 'David and Goliath' and 'In Search of a Miracle'. One unkindly featured a computer-generate image with fourty balls in the back of a Futsal goal - their prediction of the final score. The eventual tally, 0-21, was the second-largest defeat in the tournament's history, but for Kurukuru it was probably the highlight of their short Futsal careers. Not many people get to play against their sporting heroes, but today the young Solomon Islanders did and experience should prove to be invaluable.'We lost today,' said Kurukuru coach VIctor Wai'ia, 'but the loss doesn't mean anything. As long as we can see that the boys have committed to play and use the skills that they have, then we are happy.'For their part, Brazil were genuinely awesome; their stars Falcao, Shumacher and Lenisio ran rampant and goals rained into Junior Kogua's net. Kurukuru's first choice 'keeper, Junior Lioka, missed the game with a knee injury and might be considered lucky to avoid the barrage of shots that Kogua endured. Suggest that though, and his answer is an emphatic, 'of course I would have loved to play!'Kogua was swamped after the game by Brazilian media asking what it was like to have so many goals scores against him. To in his credit, he took it in his stride, laughing later that it was a bit tedious, but, 'it was still good. Today helped be in becoming a better player. I know what the best is now and what I need to do to improve.'While the defeat was worse on the scoreboard than the opening game against Cuba, Kurukuru were a markedly improved outfit. The defensive structure missing against Cuba appeared and it was simply a case of Brazil being too strong, fast and technically proficient in their attack.The previous day the team watched Guatemala narrowly defeat Egypt 1-0 in a high-quality game and then reviewed their match against Cuba on DVD. Technical Advisor Scott Gilligan highlighted areas of improvement and told the boys to note Guatemala's structure against Egypt."I think in the Cuba game they were a little bit nervous because obviously this is big occasion, but they got the nerves out after that. The second half against Cuba they started to play the way that they can play, and today they started from the word go. Defence I thought was good and we kept possession quite well, although it's very hard to keep possession against Brazil," said Gilligan.In attack, once again captain Elliot Ragomo was strong, but today he was joined by Jack Wetney, who impressed the crowd with his ability to beat Brazillian players with some fancy footwork. He got close - on one occasion agonisingly so - to scoring three goals in a performance that turned some heads. "It was a great game to play; it was the best experience I've had and such an honour," said Wetney, who shares the same shirt number as Brazil's, and the world's, best player Falcao. "Since I was small I looked at him play - he was so great - and that's why I chose no.12. It was amazing for me to play on the same court him."At full-time after the teams had shook each-other's hands, Falcao approached the young Kurukuru and they embraced one another, an acknowledgment of sorts from their hero that this was just the beginning for them.It might also be prudent for all fans of Kurukuru to take note of the team that suffered the worst-ever defeat in the World Cup - again it was against Brazil, in the year 2000, the score 29-2. Who were they? Guatemala; the same team that now displays such a strong defensive aptitude.A rest day is scheduled for Kurukuru tomorrow before what will be another big challenge when they meet Japan on Saturday. They will go into the match with the same 'no regrets' positivity that this tournament demands of them. Junior Lioka should be fit to play and there are no injury concerns. The team has greatly appreciated all messages received at the kurukuru@mail.org email address and anyone with time to write is encouraged to do so.

source : Solomon Times

Sogavare slams PM’s statement on RAMSI.

OPPOSITION leader Manasseh Sogavare says a statement Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua made on RAMSI is premature and a blatant disregard of parliament directives. He was referring to Dr Sikua’s statement on a possible future partnership between Solomon Islands and RAMSI.Dr Sikua said this when he addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, last week.“Dr Sikua’s statement was premature on the basis that the review of RAMSI is still in progress,” Mr Sogavare said.“It is this review that will have a bearing on the future status of the Solomon Islands-RAMSI partnership,” he said.Mr Sogavare said if the statement was a declaration of the Government’s official position on the future of RAMSI, the Government is making a total mockery of the review process. “The government must appreciate that any express government policy on the future of RAMSI would now be subject to the outcome of the review,” he said.The review is being undertaken by the Foreign Relations Committee. “It is therefore out of order and blatant disregard of parliament directives for the government to preempt the outcome of the review. “Indeed it would be a serious mistake for the country to take that line of thinking.“RAMSI is a forum responsive initiative to address a break down of the formal system that supports the effective workings of the economy. “It is never the intention of the Pacific Islands forum to make RAMSI another aid agency in Solomon Islands.“Hence its role should effectively end at the completion of the restoration stage,” Mr Sogavare said.

Source: Solomon Star.

Cuba Beat Kurukuru in First Match, 10-2

The Solomon Islands Kurukuru has lost their first FIFA Futsal World Cup match against Cuba, 10-2.

The youngest team at these Futsal finals in Brazil looked to be on their way to a special day when Elliot Ragomo opened the scoring inside the first minute. Unfortunately for the Oceania men, their early joy only acted to aggravate the Cubans.

Yulier Olivera, Carlos Madrigal, Olivera, Boris Saname and Eduardo Morales all scored for the Cubans to make it 5-1 at the interval. In the 27th minute, the Solomons' defeat was fairly well complete, with Morales scoring two more goals and Johnnet Martinez adding one of his own. The scoreline was 8-1. Morales went on to add another before Mesa made it 10-1 for the men from Cuba. In the dying moments, Ragomo added a bit of scant consolation with his second goal of the match.

Source : Solomon times