SOLOMON Islands intends to participate in a professional league that Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) plans to organise in 2026.
Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) President Donald Marahare highlighted this during an interview with the High Park Communication of FIFA last week after he met with the FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Paris.
While the details of the proposed professional league remain sketchy, President Marahare said, “We talked about, basically, the situation regarding the commencement of the pro-league.”
“I did mention to the President the commitment on [behalf] of the Federation that we, definitely, will be fielding a team for the professional league that the OFC in particular is intending to run and start, not until 2026.”
He said, SIFF has indicated its commitment to sign up and be part of the pro-league.
“But, we have already shown commitment to participate.”
The SIFF President also informed President Infantino about the proposed ‘Football for Schools Programme’ which will be implemented in collaboration with FIFA.
“I also briefed him on the status of the – what we call – the Football for Schools Programme that has been arranged together with FIFA.
“I did mention to him the date in terms of the launch that will also coincide with the launch that will also be run by the similar programmes in Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
“So, I did update him (on that),” he said in that interview.
President Marahare also updated the FIFA President on the status of the TDS [Talent Development Scheme] programme, and the academic facilities that are available in Honiara.
“And I informed him, basically, about where we are, the fact that the main people who will be managing and administering the TDS programme, as well as the academy are already on the ground – they’re already there.
President Marahare also informed the president of the situation of football – particularly the results of the national teams, particularly the senior men and the U-16 teams that participated in their respective tournaments.
“The feedback that I received from the President was that…at the end of the day, there is only going to be one champion.
“And so, football doesn’t end there – which is a very true message. I did mention to him that the reaction from the football loving people back in the Solomon Islands when our national teams don’t perform – the reactions are negative.
“But then at the end of the day, that’s what football is all about. Basically, everybody loves football, and everybody is an expert – claiming to be an expert, but it depends entirely on what views they have, their opinions about football. So, basically, that’s the discussion that we’ve had.”
By MOFFAT MAMU
