Six local hockey players joining the Hype Pacific All-Stars Team at the NZ Heritage Hockey Competition in Auckland are proudly flying the nation’s flag both on and off the pitch.
The group, Nyrick Zuna, Enoch Mae Paekera, Ricky Fairamoa, Jackson Ramo, Juninia Mahika, and Melwyn Makana, are part of the All-Stars team featuring players from other Pacific Island Nations and making its debut in the competition.
During a vibrant cultural night on Saturday evening, the Solomon Islands contingent proudly shared their heritage through traditional dances and songs. The six players brought the spirit of the Solomon Islands to life, creating one of the standout moments of the night.
Speaking to Star Sports on behalf of the team, Zuna expressed pride in the opportunity.
“We are very proud to be here, not only to play but also to have the opportunity to share our culture with friends from around the region,” he said.
Zuna added that competing against high-level opposition has provided valuable exposure for the players an experience expected to contribute significantly to their development.
“The level of competition here is very high compared to back home. Many of these players started hockey at an early age, but we are thankful for the opportunity to showcase our talents and learn from such amazing teams and players,” he added.
He further noted that the knowledge and experience gained from the competition will be shared with upcoming players back home.
“This competition runs annually, and we hope to return in the future. We want to pass on what we’ve learned to our young hockey talents so they too can have this experience. We also hope to see a girls’ team participate in future editions.”
On the field, the Pacific All-Stars Team rebounded strongly after a 4–0 loss to NZ Indians on Matchday One, securing a narrow 1–0 victory over Fiji Heritage on Match day Two.
By TIMOTHY INIFIRI JNR
Star Sports, Honiara
