The Solomon Islands national junior futsal squad, Kurukuru returned home on Monday to a hero’s welcome.
The futsal heroes arrived around 2pm yesterday and were met upon arrival by the Minister for Infrastructure representing the DCC government Honourable Stanley Sofu, SIFF president William Lai along with mad futsal supporters as well as families and friends of the Junior Kurukuru players and officials.
In his keynote address Sofu expressed the government’s excitement for the outstanding achievement the Junior Kurukuru players have achieved for the country Solomon Islands.
“Let me first of all give all the praises and glory to our Almighty Father for protection and guidance that led our boys to the competition and come back home with a victory,’’ he said.
“I am really happy.
“Our young boys have put Solomon Islands into a whole map.’’
He said Solomon Islands was not well known in the world map but when our young boys won the OFC Youth futsal tournament in New Zealand and booked their spot for the 2018 Youth Olympic, people around the world started searching where Solomon Islands is.
“Our young boys lifted Solomon Islands into the World wap and to be recognized with their outstanding achievement,’’ he added.
As the Junior Kurukurus placed the country into the World Map once again Sofu stand on behalf of the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and the Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanaga who was not able to attend yesterday’s historic event due to government commitment, the minister has welcomed home the young lads and congratulated them for making the country proud.
“Welcome home.
“Your achievement has made the whole nation proud.
“For this the Government thank you for your time, commitment and achievement,” he said.
President of the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) William Lai also expressed his gratitude as head of football in the country.
“I would also like to thank the management of the team and the players for this sweet victory,’’ he said.
The president has also credited the cordial partnership between the Solomon Islands Sports Coalition, our major futsal league sponsor the Bulkshop, SIFF, schools, parents and guardians of the players for the great achievement they U17 players has achieved for the country.
“Without these partnership and sacrifice we won’t be able to achieve this success,’’ he said.
He therefore thanked everyone who has contributed to the success of the team.
“Thank you all for the job well done,’’ he added.
The president also assured that the team will be supported in their preparation for the 2018 Youth Olympic competition.
Meanwhile Solomon Islands will participate in the futsal competition of the Buenos Aires (Argentina) 2018 Youth Olympics in October where indoor football makes its debut in any Olympics event of sort.
By CROFTON UTUKANA
