A big step closer to Oceania Championships
The 17th installment of the Oceania Karate championships will take place in New Caledonia from 15 to 18 September.
Solomon Islands Karate Federation (SIKF) president, Junior Siosi, who represented the country at the Oceania Development Camp and Cup in May earlier this year, said that exposure on the Regional and Commonwealth scene is absolutely essential now that karate has become an Olympic sport
“We need to be active despite our constraints, so the other countries understand we are trying to be involved despite the socio-economic challenges we face. It continues to be an uphill struggle.”
Although SIKF were able to pay for airfares for 3 athletes, they have been actively seeking other avenues to cover other costs which include OKF affiliation fee, entrance fees, insurance, accommodation and daily living costs for the 9-day trip which would take the team via Vanuatu to New Caledonia and back.
Siosi said that the remaining costs are still significant.
The SIKF have never been able to attend these important championships in the past due to financial restrictions, but this is about to change thanks to the assistance of SolRice.
Nick Ellis, General Manager of SolRice, was happy to announce the company’s assistance by donating 1000kg of the new much anticipated Solgood rice.
Commenting at the handover ceremony which took place yesterday Ellis said: “We at SolRice take our responsibility as corporate citizens very seriously, hence, we are happy to support the karate team in their endeavors.
“I have had the opportunity to speak with the SIKF president and coach over the course of last week and on behalf of SolRice, I am happy to support their cause.”
Siosi, receiving the donation, added: “SIKF will use the 50 bags of rice to raise some much needed cash before next week’s travel.”
National team coach, Andy Roosen who was also present at the handover commented: “SolRice assistance could not have come at a better time! Repeated proposals to the government again have remained unanswered despite our own efforts to start playing a role on the regional stage.
“Thanks to Ellis’s vision and SolRice support, we are one step closer to making a first step towards gaining much needed exposure and experience. The OKF stage is much more competitive than the Pacific Games and will be one of the events considered towards future Olympic qualification or wild cards.”
