A sports tournament was successfully held from 25 December to 5 January at Paradise Village, the most populated village in North New Georgia, Western Province.
The ‘Sport In Unity” tournament featured soccer for men and netball for women.
The tournament brought together teams from West New Georgia and North New Georgia, including participants from Roviana, Munda, and Honiara-based North New Georgia residents.
Soccer teams from West New Georgia included; Saika, Nazareth, Kinamara, Kiapatu, and Kurikiti.
Participating villages from North New Georgia included Baini, Jella, Mase, and Paradise.
The event aimed to promote unity through sport; however, long-standing divisions in North New Georgia dating back to 2011, linked to the influence of the Christian Fellowship Church (CFC), affected participation.
Villages such as; Temarae, Jericho, Ramata, Keru, Duvaha, Euki, and Tamaneke were unable to take part.
Qualified referees and umpires from the Noro Sports Association officiated all matches, ensuring fair and professional conduct throughout the tournament.
Jella 1 won the soccer title, followed by Mase 2, with Baini 1 and Kinamara 1 sharing third place.
In netball, Paradise 1 claimed first place, Kiapatu 1 finished second, Honiara placed third, and Paradise 4 came fourth.
The tournament was sponsored by PINIPA Forestry Industry, a landowner-owned felling licence operating in the Paradise area.
More 800 people witnessed the event over the festive and New Year period.
By Sobe McMahon
Freelancer
