SOLOMON Islands National Football team is confident to defend their Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Prime Ministers (PM’s) Cup Champions title in Honiara in December.
This was announced during the signing ceremony of the MSG PM’s Cup Host Agreement at the Ministry of Home Affairs headquarters in Honiara last week.
The annual Melanesian sub-regional tournament is set to be held in Honiara from 10 to 22 December, with the defending champions Solomon Islands having the advantage of home ground and crowd support.
Solomon Islands secured the MSG PM’s Cup Champions Title in 2023 in a thrilling match against New Caledonia in Noumea that concluded with a 1-0 score margin.
Solomon Islands victory against the hosts was secured from what was dubbed a ‘mischief’ goal by 20-year-old Raphael Lea.
Meanwhile, during the signing ceremony for the MSG PM’s Cup Host Agreement, the supervising Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Stanley Wale announced that preparations for the tournament are well underway.
“Our preparations for the 2024 tournament are fully underway. The GNUT (Government for National Unity and Transformation) Cabinet has endorsed our hosting of the MSG PM’s Cup in Honiara and we are devoted to ensuring this event is tremendous success,” PS Wale announced.
“The preliminary schedule has been set with strategic meetings planned leading up to the official opening on December 8. This will be followed by the tournament from December 10 to 22. We look forward to showcasing our world-class sporting facilities, which were established under the visionary Sogavare-led Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement, that were utilized with great success during last year’s Pacific Games,” PS Wale added.
PS Wale further added that, “sports are integral to our lives. They unite us, enhance our identity and create avenues for employment and shared pride. The MSG PM’s Cup embodies these principles and we eagerly anticipate welcoming our Melanesian family to our peaceful shores.”
He assured the MSG Director General Leonard Louma who was present at the ceremony of the Solomon Islands Government’s commitment to collaborate with the MSG Secretariat to ensure the tournament is a great success.
“I have the confidence in our organizing committee to work progressively on the preparation in the coming weeks,” PS Wale added.
By FLOYD TERY JNR
Solomon Star, Honiara