TARD 2009 Christmas Games ended successfully with hype last Friday

The TARD 2009 North Malaita Christmas Games ended successfully at Malu'u on Friday last week with a huge turnout throughout the 3-day tournament which saw the participation of 79 teams from the Suava and Baelelea region, To'abaita and as far as Rufoki in West Fataleka.

At the end of the tournament, prizes were presented to both the winners of the TARD 2009 Christmas Games and also the TARD-supported North Malaita Football and Netball League.



The winners for the TARD 2009 North Malaita Christmas Games at Malu'u are as follows:

Football

1. Green Snails Blue - 1st Prize of TARD Millenium Trophy + $700 cash
2. Lightning Strikers - 2nd Prize of $500 cash
3. Columbia & Island Souvenir - shared 3rd Prize of $300 cash

Netball

1. Rufoki - 1st Prize of TARD Trophy + $300 cash
2. Aurafu - 2nd Prize of $200 cash
3. Arao - 3rd Prize of $100 cash

Beach Soccer

1. Columbia - 1st Prize of $400 cash
2. Rufoki - 2nd Prize of $300 cash
3. Landowners - 3rd Prize of $200 cash

Mix Volleyball

1. Rufoki - 1st Prize of TARD Trophy + $300 cash
2. Baystar - 2nd Prize of $200 cash
3. Bombers 1 - 3rd Prize of $100 cash



TARD wishes to thank the Local Organizing Committee and all the participating teams for ensuring that the 2009 North Malaita Christmas Games was successfully completed.

North Malaita games into final stages today

The TARD's North Malaita Christmas Games currently underway at Malu'u station is expected to complete today.

As of yesterday nine soccer teams are still surviving after winning their knockout play-off.

They are Real Maluú Figs, Rufoki B, Lightning Strikers, ADRM Blue, Rufoki A, Columbia 1, Island Souvenir Red, Maluú United Red and Green Snails Blue.

Thirty five teams competed in the soccer knockout.

In the Netball Aurafu A and Rufoki will go into grand final today. Arao Netball team already secured the third position.

Fifteen netball teams participated in the competition.

For the Beach soccer knockout seven teams are still in cotention out of 13 teams.

They are Colunbia 2, Rokufi, Maluú United, L.O Strikers Maroon, Columbia 1, L.O Striker White, and Island Souvenir.

For the Volleyball knockout three teams are still remaining from 16 teams.

They are Baystars, Rukofi and Bombers.

Source: Solomon Star

TARD Vice Chairman thanks Australian Government for supporting 2009 North Malaita Christmas Games

By Lensley Kwaimani, TARD LOC - Malu'u

The To’abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) 2009 Christmas Games has finally eventuated in Malu’u, North Malaita yesterday.

The tournament was sponsored by the Australian High Commission's Sports Outreach Programme through the TARD.

The opening programme was started with a uniform parade which was led by the current cup holders for football, the Columbia Football Club from Malu’u, Arao for volleyball and Rufoki for Netball.

Speeches were followed after the parade. In the opening speech the Vice-Chairman of TARD Mr. George Ganiau said, “he was thankful for the Local Organizing Committee for the work done towards the preparations for the 2009 TARD free Christmas Games in the absence of the TARD members”.

He said”, his thanks goes also to the surrounding clubs for their support and especially to the Columbia Football Club for availing the beach soccer pitch for the tournament this year”.

Mr. Ganiau finally thanked the Australian High Commission for their support which is the bottom line of everything that is happening now.

We are the most privileged recipient of the group’s assistances compared to other recipients in the country, he said.

He said, “we thanked them for trusting us TARD as an avenue to channel the assistances to the needy population of Solomon Islands”.

He went on to say that at the moment we are trying to secure funds for the 2010 TARD free Christmas games.

Mr. Ganiau wishes all competing teams on behalf of TARD, an enjoyable, peaceful and successful TARD free Christmas game.

He urges all competitors to play fair and win fair.

In another speech, the Deputy Principal for Arnon Atomea Community High School, Mr. Penuel Idusulia said, “we have now reached a stage where we cannot turn a blind eye nor neglect youth”.

Therefore Mr. Idusulia would like to congratulate the To’abaita Authority for Research and Development for initiating and spearheading this move.

He encouraged TARD to continue on with the good work that they have started.

The total number of teams that registered for the tournament is 13 teams for Beach Soccer, 15 teams for netball, 35 teams for football and 16 teams for volleyball.

Today, the day two of games was completed successfully.

It is understood that the finals for Netball and Volleyball will be played tomorrow while Football and Beach Soccer is still progressing until Saturday, when the tournament will end.

North Malaita TARD 2009 Christmas games kicks off

The North Malaita 2009 Christmas Games kicked off yesterday at Malu’u, North Malaita with already action packed day one of competition.

The four days competition will end this weekend with huge prizes up for grab.

The program yesterday started with a team parade around the Malu'u School grounds followed by speeches from representatives of TARD, the Local organising Committee, RAMSI, Malu'u School Principal, and Community rep.

The To’abaita Authority for Research and Development’s (TARD) student volunteer group is supporting the sports event with a financial contribution of $5,000.00.

Each participating team is paying a goodwill registration fee of $10.00 to help TARD donate funds to Malu’u School.

For this year’s games, a new sports competition, the beach soccer, is being introduced along with soccer for boys, netball for girls and mix volleyball for both boys and girls.

Attractive prizes will be on offer for all the four sports which will be decided later.

One of the participating player Ellen Bana told Star Sports from Malu'u that nearly 20 teams have gathered for the event.

At the close of registration yesterday morning, a total of 35 teams registered for the 7-aside Soccer; 16 teams for Netball; 13 teams for Beach Soccer; and 15 teams for Volleyball.

Most of the teams came from north sea and bush including those from Fataleka and Mbaelelea.

She said most of the teams are being accommodated at schools at Malu'u.

Competition is said to be very tough in the first day of the competition.

Even some Honiara-based players are also participating in the games.

TARD Project Coordinator Exsley Taloiburi said the student members will support the organising committee.

"This is done to encourage rural participation in TARD’s community initiatives in North Malaita," he said.

The Local Organising Committee comprises Lensley Kwaimani, Jimmy Tonowane, Eddie Omokirio, Esther Irobaea, Derrick Liosulia, Sammy Liosulia, Herman Bongi, Lawrence Areni, Mostyn, and Rickson Fulairara.

Teams between Rufoki Village in West Fataleka which is 2008 TARD champion for Netball and Volleyball and Kolofe in East Baelelea are also attending the games.

The 2008 TARD Soccer champion is Columbia Team.

The North Malaita Christmas Games is a community sports initiative by TARD since December 2006 until now.

The tournament, which was generously supported by the Australian High Commission Office in Honiara, is in its fourth consecutive year.

The 2009 and 2008 TARD Christmas Games and other sporting initiatives already implemented between late 2008 and 2009 were part of the Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP) support to TARD last year.

TARD is a student volunteer group established in 2005 by the North Malaita students who were studying in Fiji, and has so far coordinated a wide range of community development projects in the areas of sports, sanitation, medical supplies for rural clinics, school fee assistance, and research in North Malaita.

Source: Solomon Star

Citizens concerned over sick parliamentarians

Concerned citizens speaking to Lifhaus have expressed grave concern over the growing number of parliamentarians who have fallen ill. Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Fred Fono is reported to be at the St. Vincent Hospital in Sydney after falling ill recently. MP Toswell Kaua is said to have been discharged from the National Referral Hospital after suffering a stroke.

Already sick but still serving in parliament are East Makira MP, David Sitai whose constituents are concerned over his apparent blindness. East Are Are MP Edward Hunuehu has been sick for a while now. "I once saw the MP being slowly led on his way to Panatina Plaza." Another said "I was unfortunate to be driving behind the MP and the line was so long as he slowly navigated his way along the busy Pt. Cruz traffic."

Hon. Martin Magga of Temotu Pele is practically unable to function properly but a Lifhaus source has revealed that he is still doing his parliamentary duties. "He was brought to the bank to sign a few cheques and then taken away. It was such a sad sight." Hon. Enele Kwanairara suffered a mild stroke and had an accident. He has since been relieved off his ministerial duty but still serves in parliament.

Three MP's have since passed away. Long serving politician Hon. Barthelomeuw Ulufa'alu passed away then East Malaita MP Hon. Joses Sanga. MP for Lau Mbaelelea Hon. Bentley Ragosomani also passed away after a short illness.

"Our concern is that we need members of parliament who are fit to perform their duties. At this time when the demands of the world require leaders who are capable of leading a nation through tough times, we have a house full of old men who are sick and most probably unable to cope with the demand their duties demand of them" said a person in Honiara.

Another person spoken to indicated that the ballot box is a great time to "change these parliamentarians because either our leaders are sick or corrupt or unable to perform their duty because they are not qualified to be in parliament in the first place."

Source: Lifhaus

Study tour desitinations for Emerging Pacific Leaders' Dialogue 2010 finalised

Following the finalisation of Emerging Pacific Leaders' Dialogue (EPLD) conference place acceptances and Group Leader appointments last week, and the near completion of the Liaison Officer appointments, study tour destinations to which participants have been allocated has been finalised.

For selected Solomon Islanders, below are the CONFIRMED study tour destinations:

- Ms Joyce Maetoloa (Business Sector): AUSTRALIA
- Mr Fred Patison (Government Sector): FIJI
- Mr Hugo Hebala (Government Sector): KIRIBATI
- Ms Nanette Tutua (Business Sector): PAPUA NEW GUINEA
- Mr George Pitakoe (NGO/Service Sector): SAMOA
- Ms Julian Chonigolo (Government Sector): TONGA
- Mr Exsley Taloiburi (Education Sector): VANUATU
- Mr Ronney Kenitahana (NGO/Service Sector): VANUATU

The process of study tour places allocations was quite complex as organisors had to take into account a number of conditions/variables including:

• allocations are deliberately made to destination country/territories other than the participant's home country/territory. The exception is that Liaison Officers appointed to each study tour group are residents of the respective study tour destination countries/territories.

• allocations are made on the basis that a maximum of 2 participants from the same country/territory are allocated to the same study tour.

• allocations are made to ensure that an employment sector balance across business, government, education, NGO, trade union etc. is achieved in each study tour so as to reflect the employment sector balance represented by the total conference participation.

• allocations also aim to ensure that a gender and age balance is achieved in each study tour so as to reflect the gender and age balance represented by the total conference participation.

For these reasons, conference organisors are not in a position to consider participant requests for re-allocation to another study tour destination.

Participants are now required to determine whether they need a Visa to enter Samoa for the Opening Ceremony, to enter Tonga for the Closing Ceremony, and the study tour destination to which they have been allocated.

TARD to organise North Malaita 2009 Christmas Games from Dec 16-19

The To’abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) student volunteer group is pleased to support the North Malaita 2009 Christmas Games which will be held at Malu’u from December 16 – 19, 2009.

A financial support of $5,000 was transferred to the TARD 2009 Christmas Games Local Organizing Committee based at Malu’u yesterday.

The Local Organizing Committee comprises Lensley Kwaimani, Jimmy Tonowane, Eddie Omokirio, Esther Irobaea, Derrick Liosulia, Sammy Liosulia, Herman Bongi, Lawrence Areni, Mostyn, and Rickson Fulairara. TARD student members will provide support to the Organizing Committee. This is done to encourage rural participation in TARD’s community initiatives in North Malaita.

For the 2009 games, a new sports competition which is Beach Soccer will be introduced along with Soccer for boys, Netball for girls and Mix Volleyball for both boys and girls. Attractive prizes will be on offer for all the four sports. Each participating team is only requested to pay a goodwill registration fee of $10 to help TARD donate funds to the Malu’u School.

Opening ceremony of the games will start at 11 am on Wednesday 16th December 2009 to be followed directly with day 1 of fixtures.

Village teams between Rufoki Village in West Fataleka (2008 TARD champion for Netball and Volleyball) and Kolofe in East Baelelea are invited to participate in the TARD 2009 Christmas Games. The 2008 TARD Soccer champion is Columbia Team.

The North Malaita Christmas Games is a community sports initiative by TARD since December 2006 until now, a tournament in its fourth consecutive year, which was generously supported by the Australian High Commission Office in Honiara.

The 2009 and 2008 TARD Christmas games plus other sporting initiatives already implemented between late 2008 and 2009 were part of the Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP) support to TARD last year.

TARD is a student volunteer group established in 2005 by North Malaita students who were studying in Fiji, and has so far coordinated a wide range of community development projects in North Malaita in the areas of sports, sanitation, medical supplies for rural clinics, school fee assistance, and research.