OFC News

SIFF President Martin Alufurai has urged provincial football delegates to make use of the two-day pre-congress workshop to discuss issues they feel is necessary to stimulate growth of football in their respective provinces.

He told participants that their positive contribution in discussion will assist SIFF to assess and redefine its future direction.

"Pre-congress provides you with the opportunity to reflect on the matters that are off importance to both your association and SIFF, therefore, I expect delegates to contribute meaningfully in the discussions," Alufari said.

The SIFF president stressed that his executive and SIFF secretariat welcomed positive contributions and suggestions to ensure a brighter future for football.

"The game of football is number one in the country and we want to make sure its status is maintained," Alufari added.

Alufari told the delegates that it is up to them to help SIFF maintain their good status and for football in the country to continue to grow.

Meanwhile, the SIFF pre-congress meeting continues tomorrow with the SIFF Congress proper beginning on Saturday to be held at the SIBC Conference room.

Story courtesy of Francis Pituvaka

The Solomon Islands preparation for the OFC U20 qualifying tournament in New Zealand will start shortly to ensure the team is ready come January.

National coach Patrick Miniti says training will have to be stepped up in the coming weeks to ensure a better prepared side represents the country in the competition.

Solomon Islands reached the finals in the last OFC U20 qualifying campaign in Honiara before losing to Australia.

Miniti would like to go one better this time by achieving the ultimate goal to represent the OFC region in the finals of a major competition.

But while that is his goal, Miniti also understands the limitations he is faced with and is to meet shortly with the SIFF Secretariat and President to discuss how best he would like the team prepared.

The team will need to play international friendly matches with teams from outside the country to measure their strength.

So far the Solomon Islands have played friendly matches with the visiting PNG club - PRK Souths United - and the PNG National Under 20 side in Lae recently.

Miniti thinks the team would need similar matches with quality sides to enable the him to select his best for the U20 qualifying competition in Auckland.

With Australia out of the picture, there is a decent chance for the Solomon Islands to have a shot at the FIFA World Cup Finals for this age category.

According to Miniti, he would call up other potential players whom he thinks have the quality to be in the train-on squad and assess them.

Miniti says selection will be very tough this time round and players who think they have secured their place in the team will have to think twice.

Meanwhile, Miniti will hold a squad briefing on Monday 1st October at the SIFF Academy at 3pm.

Wynton Rufer, the Oceania Player of the Century, and FIFA Ambassador in the Oceania Football Confederation was in Papua New Guinea to officiate the opening of the 2006 Besta Junior National Futsal Tournament in Lae today.

Rufer said the OFC's main concern should be to put more resources into junior development programs because that is where the future of the Oceania football lies.

The commitment by the OFC and the Papua New Guinea Football Association in the Junior Development is not only to develop the game but also as a means to develop and shape the young ones to be good humans resource of the future.

Rufer said he was very happy with the kind of interest shown by kids, schools and parents and commitment of resources and time by Papua New Guinea Football Association and the Local Organizing Committee.

Rufer also acknowledged the commitment by International Food Cooperation under it's product name BESTA in sponsoring the Junior Development Program.

In the meantime, Papua New Guinea Football Association President, Mr. David Chung, said his main objective of the Junior Development Program is the build the soccer skills of young Papua New Guineans so that they can one day perform with distinction on the international stage.

"The commitment of resources and time in the Junior Development program is not only to develop the kids to play soccer but also to kick out social and health problem associated with young ones by keeping them away from Drugs, HIV and thefts", he said.

Mr. Chung said Papua New Guinea will be pleasantly surprised to see these juniors become senior players that could one day make Papua New Guinea the number one football power in the Oceania Region.

Also speaking at the opening, the National Sales and Marketing manager of International Food Corperation (IFC) PNG Ltd, Mr. John Anis said IFC is happy to support the Junior Development Program because the game is played by everybody and will continue to support and sponsor the program.

Story courtesy of Thomas Kambi PNGFA

The Papua New Guinea National Junior Futsal Tournament has been organised and hosted by the Papua New Guinea Sports Commission in collaboration with Papua New Guinea Football Association.

PNGFA president Mr. David Chung welcomed participating teams and said as Futsal is very new to Papua New Guinea it was logical to start at youth level.

David Chung said PNGFA would commit more time and resources to the youth football.

The tournament began on Monday 25th September with teams and players taking time to learn the rules and nuances of Futsal. The process was going well and considered positive.

The PNGFA provided a technical briefing for referees and the response to this had also gone well.

The Lae-hosted tournament is being played in different different locations and provides easier access for all the competitions 36 participating teams of primary school age group. The age groups participating in this tournament are U15 boys, U14 girls, U13 Boys and U12 Girls.

The locations are Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium, St. Paul's Primary School Field, Markham Road Primary School Field and Bugandi Secondary School fields.

Most of the teams participating in the tournament are from within the Morobe province except for Madang.

Promotion of the tournament was nationwide but participation was not as high as desired due to the high costs involved in transport, accomodation and meals.

Story courtesy of Thomas Kambi, PNGFA

The American Samoa Football Association `Normalisation Committee' is very pleased to announce the appointment of Pou Supapo as the new chairperson of the committee.

She was appointed as the new chairperson by the ASFA Normalisation Committee after previous consultations with OFC and FIFA offcials.

This internal change within the `Normalisation Committee' received full support from OFC and FIFA and is seen as another positive step of the `Roadmap Activities' in the process of restituting football ownership to the AS football community. This process will culminate in a plan to establish elections for the administration of football in American Samoa.

David Brand will remain as a committee member and Football Coordinator.

"I am very happy to be appointed as the new chairperson of Normalisation Committee and looking forward to working with all clubs and members over the coming months. The Normalisation Committee has progressed well over the past year and I would like to personally thank all the football family for their support in the past, present and the future," said Pou Supapo.

"With football activities and courses planned for coaches, referees and administrators over the coming months, the "roadmap" for the normalization in ASFA and the development of football in American Samoa is progressing well," she added.

The `Normalisation Committee' would like to acknowledge the support and continued assistance of the Governor's Office, ASG Agencies plus all the various stakeholders of the football family during the past twelve months.

The committee is committed to ensure that the future of football in American Samoa will flourish and provide bright opportunities for all, particularly for the youth, objectives that will certainly be enhanced following the completion of the National Headquarters, technical centre and playing fields currently under construction at Pago Park with the assistance of the FIFA Goal and OFC Infrastructure grants programmes.

Story courtesy of the ASFA

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) will be holding their annual OFC Referee Development Officers Seminar in Auckland, New Zealand from 19-20 October 2006 at the OFC Headquarters. Referee Development Officers from each Member Association of OFC will attend the seminar to discuss the development plan for refereeing in Oceania for the next 5 years.

Each Referee Development Officer will make a presentation on the structure of Refereeing in their National Association, including information on the numbers of Referee Instructors, Referees, Assistant Referees, involved in both men's and women's football as well as Futsal and Beach Soccer.

The presentations will also pass on information about specific courses that have been conducted in the last 12 months - 24 months in different OFC countries and what programmes are being planned for the next 5 year period.

The seminar will also provide an opportunity for Referee Development Officers from around the region to engage OFC to assist in Referee Development. Referee recruitment plans will also be a topic on discussion.

The American Samoa Football Association appealed to players, referees, fans and officials throughout the country to help praise and promote the spirit of fair play on FIFA Fair Play Day which was held at Kanana Fou as part of the International Day of Peace.

Special guests at the event included the Director of Education Malaetele Lui Tuitele and Fiasili Haleck Director of Youth and Women's Affairs and Rev Tumau Petaia who gave the opening and closing prayers.

The day started with a march past to the FIFA Anthem followed by the stadium announcement of the Fair Play Day by Maselino Tautu and the Fair Play declarations by the captains of the schools participating on the day.

Both Directors gave special remarks to the children, whilst also congratulating the association efforts in developing the local youth at all levels.

To close the ceremony all 120 children conducted a prematch handshake followed by one huge group photo. 3 exciting games between the schools from Leone Midkif, St Teressa and Siliaga and Taputapu concluded and crowned a great day for Football.

FIFA is holding the tenth World Fair Play Day over the week of 18 to 24 September. These dates have been chosen to link this year's events to another special occasion: the United Nations International Day of Peace (21 September), an invitation to all nations to honour a cessation of hostilities around the world.

The football family therefore wishes to commemorate the International Day of Peace by using the wonderful game and - most notably - its annual Fair Play celebration. This initiative has the personal support of FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter.

" Fair Play is essential to honour sport and to everyone invovled in it," declared David Brand Football Coordinator of ASFA. "We need to cherish and nurture the values of sporting spirit and work tirelessly to keep up the momentum. We are appealing to all football fans in American Samoa to help us celebrate FIFA Fair Play Day and the International Day of Peace successfully."

President Blatter recognises the fundemantal role of Fair Play in sport and the need to apply it to all sporting activities. " Children need strong values to grow up with and football being a team sport, makes them realise how essential discipline, respect, team spirit and fair play are for the game and for life," he commented. "FIFA's Fair Play campaign involves much more than simply promoting Fair Play on the pitch during competition. FIFA is committed to encouraging Fair Play in society too, beginning with our future - with children," he said.

"The most common way of commemorating the International Day of Peace is by observing a moment of silence or holding a special ceremony," the FIFA President added. `FIFA would like to encourage its member associations to do this by gathering around a football pitch, highlighting the values of Fair Play and reminding the football family of the meaning of peace and the need for commitment to its realisation."

This is the tenth FIFA Fair Play Day to be celebrated since its introduction in 1997 and the third time that it will be linked to the International Day of Peace. In previous years, activities have been held in dozens of countries around the world, from grass roots to top flight football and in many community based projects.

Story and image courtesy ASFA Media

Oceania Football Confederation Head of Women's Football Education and Training, Connie Selby, has encouraged participants to make use of what they learnt during the one week coaching course conducted in the Solomon Islands recently.

She was speaking at the Allan Boso Complex Conference room at the conclusion of the Women's Coaching Programme in Honiara.

Mrs. Selby told the audience - including President Martin Alufurai, General Secretary Eddie Ngava, Development officer Noel Wagapu - that it is up to SIFF to ensure the participants put into good use what they learnt.

Twenty participants attended the seminar which comprised theory and practical sessions. Course participants' performances will be monitored by the SIFF technical office and Connie Selby will rely on that feed-back to secure a follow-up coaching programme for Solomon Islands.

Mrs. Selby also expressed her satisfaction at seeing the kids play in the current Under 12 competition.

She says it is the responsibility of every one including the coaches to ensure the kids are given all the coaching they need in the next four years.

"These kids will be eligible for OFC U17 competition in the next four years and it is your responsibility to ensure their development continues," she said.

Mrs. Selby assures the participants that there are opportunities around and SIFF will identify others who want to pursue coaching as career for to attend other programmes in the future.

She made this assurance to encourage the women coaches who aspire to go further to work hard to achieve their goals.

Already she has earmarked SIFF Women's Development officer Ms Dianne Justus for an instructor's course in Auckland, New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the participants from the provinces are still in Honiara and should be leaving for their respective provinces later this week.

Story by Francis Pituvaka

Football legend Eusebio returned to Africa today to launch FIFPro's an anti-racism campaign in advance of World Cup 2010 in South Africa. FIFPro (Fédération Internationale des Footballeurs Professionels) the World professional footballers' football union, organised the conference to announce its plan to tackle racism by utilising the impact of its high profile members that include 57,500 professional footballers around the World.

Eusebio - Portugal's hero at the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England - praised the campaign and emphasised the responsibilities of professional players across the globe to battle against racism.

"FIFPro's initiative here in South Africa is to be commended. Professional players are respected around the world they are listened to. With this fame and influence comes responsibility. I am delighted that the World's top players are coming together in this way to tell the people of the World that racism must never be tolerated."

Eusebio's sentiments are echoed in a DVD presentation being played at the conference featuring football stars Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United and England International), Joe Cole (Chelsea and England midfielder), Fredi Kanoute (Sevilla UEFA Cup Winner and Mali International), Damien Duff (Newcastle United and Republic of Ireland winger) and Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur and Ireland Captain) speaking out against discrimination and racism in football and the wider society.

Tokyo Sexwale, chairperson of companies, former freedom fighter, member of the Local Organising Committee of the World Cup 2010, member of the FIFA Say No To Racism, who served alongside Nelson Mandela on Robben Island prison said, "The world has many inequalities but to judge and think badly of a person because of the colour of his skin is one of the most vile, ignorant and reprehensible forms of discrimination. We applaud FIFPro and all its 57,500 members around the world in taking a stand, NO TO RACISM and any forms of discrimination, especially in football. We in South Africa have defeated apartheid and discrimination and the rest of the world can draw sense from this experience."

Also making a special presentation is Former Charlton player Shaun Bartlett, now with South African team Kaizer Chiefs. Plus Fran Gavin, Vice-President of the PFAI (Players' Football Association of Ireland) and Vice Chair of FIFPro's committee on addressing racism will present the conference with details of the excellent anti-racism work the players' union in Ireland has achieved.

OFC - ELITE REFEREES COURSE CONCLUDES

Sore bodies to sore minds as the participants at the OFC Elite Referees and Assistant Referees course were put to the practical test at the OFC Academy in Ellerslie today.

A host of practical sessions designed to test the application of the game's laws were run with the interpretation of offside and misconduct examined by Massimo Raveino, Ken Wallace, Alejo Leguizamon and Segran Chandra.

Technical elements of Refereeing and Assistant Refereeing such as body position and uniformity of flag signals were watched closely. Tahitian Referee Instructor, Massimo Raveino, said it was critical to develop uniformity in these techniques because there were so many newcomers to the course.

"We have new candidates from Vanuatu, Tonga and Solomon Islands so we need to make sure they are able to apply FIFA instructions to the same high standards as those elsewhere. It is important they develop more professional standards."

Overall the practical test achieved good standards but Ken Wallace said there was room for improvement in many areas.

"The course demonstrated a need for candidates to be better prepared. We examined them in three ways; a video test on the laws of the game, a written test and, of course, a physical test. The results in the physical test were very pleasing. Others have work to do."

Wallace said there were 3 or 4 candidates from the Referees and Assistant Referees that did particularly well during the course but would not be drawn on names.

2007 would be a very busy year for officials with a raft of tournaments scheduled. With that in mind, Wallace said, the course had provided participants with a valuable networking platform.

Alejo Leguizamon said candidates had learned more about structured physical fitness programmes during the course. He said it was logical to expect to see a steady improvement across all refereeing skill-sets next year with so much activity planned.

A second OFC Elite Referees and Assistant Referees course has been planned for 2007.