The 2016 Solomon Cup has been postponed for a later date due to SIFF’s unsuccessful negotiations to run the event under the Solomon Games.
However a football competition will be staged in place of Solomon Cup and run under the 2016 Solomon Games sporting event from July 1- 16.
SIFF confirmed this to Star Sports in a statement yesterday.
“Solomon Cup is not postponed due to withdrawal of sponsorship by Our Telekom.
“The Solomon Cup is postponed as a result of unsuccessful negotiations to run the event under the Solomon Games,’’ it added.
SIFF statement said Our Telekom has not withdrawn their sponsorship of the Solomon Cup but has deferred any sponsorship of the event until when the tournament will be held as decided by SIFF.
SIFF will endeavour to host the Solomon Cup possibly next year.
SIFF said a football tournament involving the ten provinces shall be held in place of Solomon Cup and run under the 2016 Solomon Games sporting event from July 1- 16.
Meanwhile the country’s major football donor Our Telekom also confirmed to Star Sports about the postponement of Solomon Cup.
“Basically, our Initial intention was for the Solomon Cup (Football) to be run during the Solomon Games however this was not accepted by the Solomon Games Council,’’ Our Telekom Marketing Manager Robertson Szetu said.
He said Solomon Games Council would like to organise soccer as just like one of the other sports in the Games.
“We therefore agree,’’ he said
“So yes soccer will still be on during the Solomon Games but it will be run by the Games Council – meaning it comes under their funding, they provide medals etc,’’ the Marketing Manager said.
He also stressed that Our Telekom sponsorship had a partnership with SIFF and not the Solomon Games Council.
“Our Sponsorship covers the Solomon Cup organised by SIFF under our current Football Partnership with SIFF.’’
“We do not have a football sponsorship partnership with the Solomon Games Council.’’
Szetu further clarified that SIFF was trying to negotiate with Solomon Games Council to hold the Solomon Cup (Telekom Sponsored) as part of Solomon Games but they failed to convince the Games Council to accept this.
“Our options therefore will be to either sponsor the Solomon Cup sometimes this year (which is unlikely) or to postpone it for next year,’’ he concluded.
By CROFTON UTUKANA
