Honiara schools soccer competition intensifies

By Francis Pituvaka

Secondary schools in the city are engaged in intense rivalry this week to determine which of them gets the ticket to represent the city in the European Union's Unity through Sport soccer finals next month.

Honiara High Schools Godwin Bebeu (L) tries to go past Hardis Aegari of Panatina School. Panatina won 1-0. Picture: Courtesy SIFF Media.

Unlike previous school competitions, there is no outright favorite in this particular one with all schools displaying marked improvement especially in the senior boys' category. Honiara High School which has most capped youth players went down disappointingly to Panatina in their opening match early this week by a goal to nil.

King George Senior boys also fall victim to Panatina at Lawson Tama grounds by the same goal line on Wednesday this week. Honiara Football Association General Secretary Chris Nieng spoke highly of the competition when asked to comment. He describes the competition as very competitive with a lot of skilful and talented players. Nieng says they have identified a couple of players to be in their training squad to represent Honiara in the Solomon Games which Makira Ulawa province will host in June.

Meanwhile, preparations are well underway in Honiara as the city braces itself to host more than 700 players and officials for the finals of the Unity through Sports competition. State-run King George VI School will be the Games Village for the competition. SIFF anticipates that all the provincial football associations including Honiara will be represented.

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