THE National Sports Council (NSC) is pushing ahead with its efforts to strengthen physical education (PE) and sports development across the Solomon Islands.
This is done through a partnership with the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Under a program led by Shandong Foreign Trade Vocational College it has brought Associate Professor Xu and Director Li to Honiara for three weeks, where they are training 102 Solomon Islanders in sports and event management, athletics, and boxing coaching.
As part of the program, the Chinese delegation also visited the Western Province to deliver training to more than 30 local teachers. It focused on enhancing skills in PE and community sports development.
Speaking during the official opening of the training in Gizo early this week, NSC representative Atueta Balekana described the initiative as vital for improving both the physical and mental well-being of the nation’s youth.
“We are delighted that PE was the selected course, as this is the foundation for physical activity and sport in our country,” Balekana said.
He added that NSC is committed to spreading sport and recreation across the country, with provincial sport and recreation development officers already working in Choiseul, Isabel, Makira-Ulawa, Renbel, and Temotu to strengthen community participation.
Western Provincial Minister for Sports Tourism and Culture , Hon. Eric Hitu, urged communities, leaders, and government agencies to work together in promoting healthier lifestyles.
He highlighted the “Healthy Settings” approach, which focuses on creating supportive environments where people ‘learn, work, play, and live.’
“The journey toward a healthier Solomon Islands is a shared responsibility. It requires persistence, compassion, and innovation,” Minister Hitu said.
He emphasized that strengthening provincial and ward-level structures such as Ward Development Committees (WDCs) is crucial to tailoring health and sports initiatives to local needs.
Minister Hitu also underscored the link between health and physical activity, noting that increasing PE in schools will build a more active 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 active in an inclusive way,” he added.
The capacity-building initiative is part of a broader national effort to improve health and sports outcomes.
By investing in teachers and local coaches, the NSC hopes to leave a long-term legacy of healthier communities and stronger sports programs throughout the Solomon Islands.
The training was held at the Women’s Centre in Gizo this week.
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
