Call for teamwork about Lawson Tama
FORMER president of the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF), Adrian Wickham calls on the SIFF Executive to work together with the National Sports Council (NSC), National Hosting Authority (NHA), and the Honiara City Council (HCC) to sort out the Lawson Tama Stadium issue.
The HCC has terminated the lease agreement with SIFF over the use of Lawson Tama late last year.
The Council has since stood by its decision to have the lease revoked, putting SIFF in a tough spot to find ways and compromise with the HCC.
He said all responsible authorities should dialogue and let sports administrators manage Lawson Tama.
“During the ethnic tension we re-develop Lawson Tama and it was officially opened by Sir Bobby Charlton in August 2001.
“Lawson Tama, of course, has special significance to me and I hope SIFF can continue in one way or another to work closely with the NCS, NHA, and HCC about it.
“Sports management and administration is a specialty in its own and I think the Council should be well advised to let the sports administrators and managers manage such a facility,” he said.
Recently SIFF made efforts to discuss the issue with the HCC; however, the HCC stood its ground to revoke the lease agreement on Lawson Tama.
This has forced SIFF to go for the option of resorting to compensation for the developments which had already taken place at the stadium.
Star Sports understands that the only agreement SIFF and the HCC reached was a short-term lease which will give time for SIFF and the TSL Board to complete matches for Round 2 of the 2020-2021 Telekom S-league (TSL) season.
SIFF President Willie Lai said SIFF is hoping for the national Government to intervene in this issue.
Meanwhile, Wickham acknowledged SIFF and the NHA to come to an agreement to pave way for the construction of the Pacific Games 2023 main sports stadium.
“You have done well SIFF for working closely with the NHA to let go of the SIFF Allan Boss Complex facility because of the progress and really good development that will come.
“I’m also impressed and encouraged to see the NHA work hard to get all things sorted out for the construction of sports facilities to start
“It’s not an easy task but if the planning and commitment are there, I know it will all fall into place,” he added.
Wickham also paid tribute to his predecessor Allan Boso for the initiative of building the SIFF Academy.
By CARLOS ARUAFU
Newsroom, Honiara
