Hockey is challenging soccer as the number one sport in the Solomon Islands. This is according to one keen player – Alan Temoa, one of the Solomon Island national team that this year made its first appearance on the international stage for more than three decades.
Earlier this year, the Solomon Islands entered the Pacific Games for the first time, finishing in fourth place, ahead of Tonga. For a first appearance, the results were the cause for optimism as the Solomon Islands lost to the eventual winners, Fiji, by a 22-1 scoreline, but then managed a respectable 10-3 loss to Papua New Guinea before beating Tonga 6-0.
Now, the Solomon Islands Hockey Federation is taking its commitment to the sport a step further as it has launched the first hockey league to be held in the country. With the population spread across the many islands, one venue has been made the focal point for the league – all matches will take place at the Ports Authority Sports Ground in Kukum.
The news was announced by President of the Solomon Islands Hockey Federation (SIHF), Nihal Seneviratne. He explained that two separate leagues will be in operation, the hockey club league for adults and the school hockey league, catering for youth hockey.
Nine schools across the islands are taking part in the inaugural schools competition, these are: Selwyn College, St Joseph Tenaru, St Nicolas School, King George VI, Betikama, Honiara High, Bishop Epalle, White River and Don Bosco.
The schools league will provide great preparation for the Junior Hockey World Cup qualifying tournament, which takes place in January in Queesnland, Australia. This is the first time the Solomon Islands will enter a team into the Junior Hockey World Cup qualifier, although back in the 1970s the Solomon Islands used to enter a team into the South Pacific Games.
The Solomon Islands Hockey Federation will use the school hockey competition to select a team to represent the Solomon Islands.
The Oceania Hockey Federation has been fulsome in its support for the Solomon Islands. Prior to the Pacific Games, Gill Gemming, Continental Development Officer of the Oceania Hockey Federation expressed the federation’s gratitude towards the SIHF for its level of engagement.
Gemming arranged for a goalkeeping set and other kit to be sent to the Solomon Islands and has also arranged workshops on the rules, coaching sessions and a meeting for team managers in preparation for international competition.
Underlying how far the sport has come in a short while, Temoa says: “I believe hockey can become the second biggest sport to soccer in the country. It’s played like soccer, however, hockey is more physically challenging as it involves both the upper and lower parts of the body.
“I love hockey very much and representing the Solomon Islands was a very great honour for me indeed,” he added.
Temoa is the driving force behind the Don Bosco Technical Institute, one of the teams competing in the new hockey league. The team’s nickname is the Uncles Hockey team, due to the number of uncles and nephews in the team.
Sharing Temoa’s enthusiasm is Joseph Iniga, the SIHF development officer: “There are definitely lots of new talents that we are seeing. With the right training and providing more game time, Solomon Islands can become a powerhouse in hockey in the region.”
