The speaker for Malaita provincial government, Titus Fika has welcomed the five Fijian rugby players who arrive in Honiara over the weekend to feature the Independence Day Rugby Sevens competition.
The five Fijians are Solomon Islands descendants are here to play with their home team, Malaita in Solomons Sevens Open Tournament to be held in Honiara on July 8.
Fika said it is a history when they saw the moment the players first set foot on Solomon Islands soil.
“Speaking on behalf of Malaita Province and as a man from Kwaio, your coming here is history.
“You were once lost; now you have returned.
“Welcome home.
He added their inclusion to the Malaita team will help the players learn more about rugby having come from a country famous for rugby 7s.
“The Malaita team will learn a lot from you and a new experience.
“The combine effort with the Malaita Subi boys will create a way forward for rugby in Malaita province,” Fika told the players upon arrival.
Chief Executive Officer of the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation (SIRUF), Gerald Oiaka described their arrival as a milestone for Solomon Islands rugby and reiterated that the experience from the five Fijian will help develop the game locally especially for Malaita players.
The players are from Wailoku and Newtown in Fiji.
They expressed their joy and appreciation upon arrival and look forward to partnering with their wantoks from Malaita in the Rugby 7s competition and most importantly for the trip they will take to Malaita.
The five players will visit Ko’a in West Kwaio, Uru and Oloburi in East Kwaio after the Solomons Sevens Open Tournament.
By CARLOS ARUAFU
