WESTERN Provincial Minister for Sports, Hon. Eric Hitu, has appealed for an united effort among communities, leaders, and government agencies to improve public health and strengthen sports development in the province.
Speaking at the official opening of the Physical Education Capacity Building Program, Minister Hitu emphasized the importance of adopting a “Healthy Settings” approach, which focuses on creating environments that support healthy lifestyles.
“The journey toward a healthier Solomon Islands is a shared responsibility. It requires persistence, compassion, and innovation,” he said.
Minister Hitu stressed the need for greater investment in community-based initiatives, pointing out that provincial and ward-level structures such as Ward Development Committees (WDCs) are vital in addressing the realities on the ground.
“By strengthening community leadership and mobilizing local resources, programs can be better tailored to meet the needs of the people.”
The provincial minister highlighted the close connection between sports and health, noting that physical education (PE) provides the foundation for both physical activity and sporting excellence in the country.
He added that increasing PE in schools will help nurture a more active and healthy population.
“We want to encourage men, boys, women, and girls to enjoy physical activity and play. The goal is to see people of all ages and abilities getting more active in an inclusive way,” Minister Hitu said.
He also urged participants to share the lessons gained from the training with their provinces and communities, ensuring that the knowledge is translated into practical action.
Minister Hitu’s message aligns with the broader Healthy Settings initiative, a national strategy supported by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services since the 1990s.
The program focuses on improving health indicators by creating supportive environments where people “learn, work, play, and live.”
The Minister’s remarks also underscored his vision for Western Province as a leader in both health promotion and sports development, ensuring long-term benefits for future generations.
Meanwhile, the National Sports Council (NSC) has strengthened partnerships to advance physical education and sports nationwide.
The NSC has partnered with the People’s Republic of China to train teachers and coaches in PE, physical activity, and community recreation.
The training program, conducted in collaboration with Shandong Foreign Trade Vocational College, saw Associate Professor Xu and Director Li spent three weeks in Honiara training 102 Solomon Islanders in sport and event management, athletics, and boxing coaching.
An NSC representative emphasized the council’s commitment to spreading sport and physical activity throughout the country.
To achieve this, NSC has appointed provincial sport and recreation development officers in Choiseul, Isabel, Makira-Ulawa, Renbel and Temotu, who are now working closely with communities and provincial governments to strengthen school and community sports.
With that around teachers from western region attended the training in Gizo that will ended next week on Monday 30th.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
