The 2026 West Pacific Junior Tennis Championships is underway this week at the National Tennis Centre in Honiara.
However, bad weather had also disrupted some of the early matches.
The 2026 edition marks the first time the Solomon Islands has hosted the regional junior event, featuring teams from Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and the host nation.
Sunday’s official opening ceremony was held at the Friendship Hall and featured a parade of the four participating teams.
In his keynote address, Minister for Home Affairs, Junior Isikeli Vave, encouraged the young athletes to make the most of the experience.
“It is truly encouraging to see our young athletes competing at this time. Share their experiences, make friends and challenging themselves while contributing to the growth of tennis in the western Pacific,” he said.
Minister Vave also highlighted the importance of continued institutional backing in ensuring long-term athlete development and regional sporting success.
“I acknowledge the strong support of the Solomon Islands Government, delivered through the National Sports Council (NSC), whose funding and commitment continue to strengthen sports development in the country,” he added.
The championships will run from January 26 to 31, 2026, featuring Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 categories, with players competing in singles, doubles and team events, showcasing emerging tennis talent from across the region.
The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships (POJC), scheduled for April in Fiji, where top performers will be selected to form the West Pacific team.
By TIMOTHY INIFIRI JNR
Solomon Star, Honiara
