SOLOMON Islands Paralympic Committee (SIPC) signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS) High – Performance programme on Friday 14th January
A statement from SI National Institute of Sport (SINIS) yesterday said the MOU will pave way for para-athletes and para-coaches to access programs and services offered at the SINIS.
SIPC President Nihal Seneviratne said that it’s a positive step towards the development of para-sports in the country
“Para sports is developing since we don’t have facilities but with this agreement with SINIS High Performance is a good achievement for us,” Seneviratne said.
He thanked SINIS Executive Director Aaron Alsop and his staff for their assistance and also the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) for recognizing sports through the High – Performance programme.
“We will gather our para-athletes and para-coaches for an orientation with the High – Performance program and we look forward for our engagement,” he added.
SINIS High – Performance executive director Aaron Alsop when congratulating SIPC stated that High Performance is available to all elite athletes and coaches who represented Solomon Islands on the international stage.
“This includes our para-sports.
“We welcome the opportunity for all athletes and coaches to access these essential services and programs as we help them prepare,” Mr Alsop said.
He said the para-sport movement is growing in the Pacific region and Solomon Islands have a very strong working relationship with the Oceania Paralympic Committee.
“They acknowledge the importance of this level of support as necessary to help identify, develop and enhance performance of the para-athletes and para-coaches,” he said.
Paralympic sports will represent the country in Para Athletics, Para Table Tennis and Para Archery at the 2023 Pacific Games.
Meanwhile, SINIS has received an overwhelming response since the New Year from National Sports Federations (NFs) with interest in accessing the programs and services it provided.
According to information from NOCSI and NSC, the SINIS High Performance Governance & Policy Department has 14 NFs out of 24 that are eligible to sign the MOUs at this stage, with more to finalise the compliance requirements set by National Hosting Authority (NHA).
