The national hockey squads jet out to Fiji last Saturday for the Hockey World League Round One, set to kick off from the 28th June to 3rd July.
The squads comprised of 18 players for both men and women’s team, with six officials.
Hockey President Nihal Senevirantne told Sunday Sports prior to their departure that the squads are in good spirits and ready to take on all the teams in the tournament.
“Yes, we are ready to take on our opponents,” he said.
“We know we carry the nation’s hopes; we will fight right to the end,” he added.
He also called for the nation’s support as they participate in the tournament.
Men’s team captain Gary Edaward Nuopula also shared similar sentiments.
“We learned a lot from our Pacific Games debut last year in PNG and with the Oceania Hockey Federation’s advices we are well prepared for this competition,’’ he said.
“I am confident that we can do it in this game,’’ he said.
Nuopula also called on all Solomon Islanders living in Fiji to get behind the national teams and support them during the competition.
Meanwhile, the national squads have been receiving overwhelming support from business houses and the government for this competition.
“We would also like to thank our major sponsors who made this trip possible for us,’’ president Senevirantne said.
He thanked the Ministry of Home Affairs, Samlinsum Ltd, Cowboy Bar & Grill Restaurant, Low Price Enterprise, Quanchee Motors, QQQ Holdings, Global Investment, Central Bank of SI, Heritage Park Hotel, Wings Supermarket, Jadoo Clothing, Solomon Sheet Steel, AUSMART, KC ENTERPRISES, SOL TUNA LTD, ELITE TIMBER, George Wu & Company, Fangs & Company, and E WORLD TECHNOLOGY.
“Without their support we will not be able to make it in this competition,’’ he added.
By CROFTON UTUKANA
