Over 200 soccer players from around the country will be participating in the Solbrew Solomon Cup tournament which kicks off at the Lawson Tama Stadium tomorrow (Saturday 15 October).

Dubbed the biggest ever soccer tournament in the country, the Solomon Cup will finally come alive tomorrow after a long break. After the 1999 Solomon Cup hosted in Gizo, Western Province, the tournament was never organised over the years.

This year, the Solomon Islands Football Federation ((SIFF) decided to revive the national tournament which will be unveiled at the national stadium tomorrow.

Despite a short notice, all 10 provincial teams including the Honiara City Council are now ready to march into Lawson Tama tomorrow.

With the hype of participating in World Cup qualifications and hosting international matches at home, this year's tournament will no doubt be of high standard. All provincial soccer teams apart from Honiara are also expected to step up to the challenge despite the gap between the players.

In Pool A are Malaita Eagles, Isabel Frigates, Honiara Warriors, Renbel Chiefs and Real Kakamora. Pool B are Temotu Arrows, Guadalcanal Hornets, Western Turtles, Lauru Kuvojo and Central Shields.

There will be an opening ceremony before the first match at 12pm, so the Lawson Tama gates may open two or three hours earlier. Entrance fee for the grand stand is $10 all across the board for all age groups, $5 for hillside and standing and $3 for students.

All primary school students will be granted free entry and have been encouraged to be in uniform as of Monday next week. Disable people will also be granted free entrance by the organising committee. High school and tertiary students need to produce their identification cards to qualify for the student fee.

There will be four matches each day starting tomorrow, but Sunday is a rest day. Pool matches continue on Monday until Thursday before the semi finals on Friday 21st October 2005. The losers final and the grand final will be played on Saturday 22nd October 2005.

Tomorrow at 12pm, four time winners Honiara Warriors will take on Pool A hopefuls Real Kakamora. This is a decisive match as the Kakamora side consisting of young players have taken Makira Ulawa Province to the pinnacle of national youth championships. The Warriors are dominated by experienced players who are regulars in the national squad as well as plying their trade in the capital's top soccer league.

The second game will see Temotu Arrows taking on Lauru Kuvojo. Arrows will be led by national striker Commins Menapi who made his presence felt in the similar tournament. The Kuvojos have been consistent performers in past Solomon Cup and will rely on their young players to deliver them the needed result.

Central Shields will take on one time winner and two time finalist Guadalcanal Hornets at 4pm tomorrow. Shields consist of both old and new players and will be led by Under 20 defender Eddie Ngaitini. Veteran striker Silas Diau who played in all Solomon Cup tournaments since 1993 is also back in the Shields squad this year. Hornets are comprised of mostly home grown players with Solympics mid fielder Jerry Sam among them.

The final match tomorrow at 6.15pm will be between current champions Malaita Eagles and Isabel Frigates. Both sides drew 1-1 during their pool match in the 1999 Solomon Cup in Gizo, but the Eagles went on to win the Cup. This year, Eagles recruited three national players in Leslie Leo, Abraham Iniga and Richard Anisua. But the core of their team that won in 1999 are still there. The likes of captain Ellison Mark Ki'i, Nelson Kabitana, Roy Enori, Nicky Lamani and David Selwyn are back to defend the title. Frigates who finished third behind the Arrows in 1999 will have the services of national defender Gideon Omokirio along with Mark Mehau, Robert Aaron and John Pangora.

SIFF has guaranteed security with the Royal Solomon Islands Police officers and security personnel at hand to curb any disturbances. SIFF hopes the revival of the Solomon Cup will be a fan-filled soccer bonanza for all to enjoy rather than destroy.

SOLOMON CUP PREVIOUS WINNERS

1991 - Honiara 4, Western 2

1992 - Honiara 4, Guadalcanal 0

1993 - No final (Malaita fans rioted

1994 - Guadalcanal 7, Honiara 6 (penalty shootout)

1995 - No competition

1996 - Honiara 2, Malaita 0

1997 - Malaita 3, Guadalcanal 2

1998 - Honiara 1, Malaita 0 (SIFF awarded game)

1999 - Malaita 1, Temotu 0