Here is a sports reflection on Mark Elison Kii, a former Malaita Eagles who is still playing in the Lau Baelelea Constituency (Ben Maenu’s Cup 2025) games in North Malaita.
It was a rare privilege to meet a former Malaita Eagles skipper, fondly known to many as ‘Elo’ at the Hon. Ben Maenu Cup 2025 at Takwa Sports Ground.
For those who witnessed his era, Kii was the heartbeat of what many still regard as the greatest Malaita Provincial side ever assembled.
Alongside legendary Northerners such as Roy Enorii, Jimmy Iro, Nelson Kabitana, Sam Soga, Martin Maedola, and many others from across Malaita, Elo led with quiet strength, passion, and pride.
Almost four decades later, time seems to have slowed its grip on him.
At 56, Elo still stands firm in his football boots, proudly wearing the Takwa Little Flower black, jersey number 7, a team now captained on this occasion by his own young nephew.
It was a powerful image: generations connected by the same love for the game.
As he spoke, Elo gently unfolded his football journey.
It began in 1987 when he was a student at Aligegeo PSS and earned selection into the Auki Football Team for the AuTuBu Games (Auki, Tulagi, and Buala).
From 1988 to 1990, he represented the Marist U19 side in the Honiara U19 League, before progressing to the Marist team in the Honiara Super League from 1990 to 1992.
In 1993, he received a call that would define his legacy. Selection to the Malaita Eagles for the first-ever Solomon Cup, a tournament remembered for its intensity which ended in an unrest.
From that point on, Elo went on to captain the Malaita Eagles until 2004.
During those years, he was blessed with many personal awards and team achievements.
Yet, as he humbly reflected, his greatest reward was not the trophies, but the friendships formed and the exceptional players he shared the field with.
Among all his memories, one moment stood out was the 1999 Solomon Cup in Gizo, Western Province.
Elo was named Player of the Tournament and lifted the Solomon Cup trophy for Malaita Eagles, a moment etched forever in his heart.
In 2004, after lifting the trophy once more, he believed his national staging had come to an end.
But football had one final chapter for him. In 2005, he received a special call to help defend the title and they did.
That victory marked his last appearance on the national stage and a fitting closure to be tagged a veteran.
Yet Elo’s story did not fade. To this day, at provincial and constituency levels, he continues to shine.
Former National U19 midfielder and now Takwa Little Flower coach, Mr. Alufurai, shared that since the introduction of the LBC Annual Honourables Cup in 2000, Elo has not missed a single tournament and had played in at least five finals, a testament to his consistency, resilience, and love for the game.
When asked how he has managed to keep playing actively for 38 years without hanging up his boots, Elo spoke simply about self-discipline.
He believes that what one puts into the body becomes the fuel for performance.
Unsporting substances, he said, must be dealt with responsibly and flushed out through hard work and sweat.
His diet remains largely traditional locally grown food, rice and processed food only taken occasionally, perhaps once a week.
Injury, too, has rarely troubled him. Throughout his long career, he has avoided serious injuries, experiencing only minor fatigue or bruises.
He credits this to proper warm-ups and cool-downs lessons taught by his Marist U19 coach, Patrick Miniti, which he still practices today.
More importantly, Elo believes that understanding the game, positioning, ball control, and situational awareness, protects a player just as much as physical preparation.
For the young players, Elo shared a heartfelt message: while they have the energy and time, they must strive to reach their highest potential. Football should not be taken lightly or treated merely for leisure.
Above all, he reminded everyone that football is not only about competition it is about health, discipline, and life.
When asked about his hopes for the current tournament, Elo smiled gently and said he dreams of playing once more in this year’s grand final and, God willing, to return again for the BM Cup 2026.
A living legend, still running, still inspiring, still teaching not through words alone, but through the way he lives the game.
By Liosulia Derick
In North Malaita
