THE 2024 Mustard Seed Enterprise (MSE) annual tournament successfully concluded in North Malaita.
The tournament saw the participation of eight soccer teams from Wards 7 and 8 in North Malaita Constituency.
The tournament includes both a football category and a netball category, but the 2024 tournament proceeded without a netball competition as no netball teams registered to participate.
Despite the lesser number of soccer teams that participated in the tournament, prizes planned for the soccer competition were all awarded.
In a brief awards presentation ceremony, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), James Malefoato told the soccer competitors and the spectators that the tournament ceased being a fundraising initiative since 2019.
As such, he said during the registration period, the LOC reserves the right to close the time of registration even without having a high number of registrations.
Mr Malefoato made the explanation for the awareness of sporting groups who may be interested in participating in future MSE Tournaments.
Speaking on behalf of the sponsor of the MSE Tournament, Stephanie Rikoi Dauta highlighted the aim of the tournament.
She said the tournament was introduced to bring all young people together, especially during festive season, for engagement in something beneficial and to keep them away from kwaso and marijuana.
Ms Dauta highlighted that the 2024 games brought together people from different Christian church denominations and abilities in one place to enjoy the festive season watching sport activities and to interact with one another.
She said for the competitors, the event instilled in them the excitement of competition and accomplishment.
Ms Dauta encouraged young people to continue to participate in the annual event and added that she would discuss with the LOC Chairman to make the 2025 tournament a special event from previous tournaments.
She told the youth to listen out for further advises from the organising committee on any proposed events.
Revivers Red of Ward 7 scooped the first prize of $2,000.00 cash + MSE Trophy. Vasa Green secured the second prize of $1,500.00 cash, while the Vasa Yellow secured the third prize of $1,000.00 cash. All the prizes and the tournament costs were sponsored by the Mustard Seed Enterprises (MSE).
Frank Atomalefo of Vasa Green received the golden hand award, while Nathan Kwaofilia of Vasa Yellow received the fairest player award. Michael of Highlands FC scooped the golden boot award. The merchandises for these individual awards were sponsored by the Auki Telekom Office.
