PROVINCIAL athletes who were in Honiara over the past two weeks competing in the 2016 Solomon Games are returning to their respective provinces over the weekend and through out this week.
Most of the delegates from Malaita left on Monday for Auki while other athletes from Central and Western Province left last Saturday and Sunday.
Participating athletes from other provinces were expected to leave Honiara this week and the coming weeks, depending on the shipping schedules destined for their respective islands.
Their departure came after the successful closing of the games on Sunday, at the Lawson Tama stadium.
Hundreds of athletes had gathered at the venue to bid farewell to the success of the games, where Guadalcanal was crowned the overall winner with 100 medals.
Malaita got the second spot in the overall presentation with 85 medals, followed by Honiara city with 80 medals.
The attendance was a little less than that of the closing because most athletes have left already after completing their games – through defeats and victories.
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and the Minister for Home Affairs Manasseh Maelanga was the guest at the closing ceremony.
He said that it was a peaceful two weeks of sporting activities which offers a lot of excitement for the residents of the city.
He added that the Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) government is really proud of the peaceful outcome of the games.
Mr Maelanga also took the opportunity to wish all the winning teams all the best in their celebrations.
Meanwhile, Renbel province will host the next Solomon Games in 2018.
By RONALD TOITO’ONA
