The Kurukuru touched down at Honiara’s Henderson Airport to the cheers of fans, more than 200 of which had turned out to greet the team. Thousands more lined the streets outside and as the players left the terminal they were presented with flowers, traditional necklaces and handshakes from the fanatical Kurukuru supporters.
Many ran up to the players to have their photographs taken, with inspirational captain Elliot Ragomo a particular favourite amongst the younger generations.
A brief ceremony was held in the airport car park before the team boarded a vehicle for a parade through the town. The parade took more than two hours as the motorcade of 50-plus vehicles wound its way along the main street of Honiara to the rowdy applause of the locals lining the roadside.
At one point, the parade had to be brought to a standstill as people rushed towards the lead vehicle to meet their idols and get a chance to touch the trophy.
Cries of ‘Go Solo Go’ and ‘Go Kurukuru Go’ echoed throughout the streets as the chanting fans expressed their joy at the team’s championship win, which arrived after a 6-4 victory over Tahiti in the grand final on Friday.
Turning back at the west end of the city, the parade ran through Chinatown and Kola’a Ridge before meeting the main road again at Fishing Village. The motorcade then began making its way to the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) headquarters, where the players again posed for photographs with fans before attending a press conference organised to toast their success.
Speaking at the conference, SIFF President Martin Alufurai thanked the players for their hard work and announced that SIFF would very soon begin work on what he called the ‘Home for Kurukuru’, a top-class futsal stadium.
“This team is unique in the sense of their discipline and commitment – these are things that have been missing from our teams for some time,” Alufurai said.
“What they have achieved is for the whole country and the federation thanks them for that. I can announce that work will soon begin on a new futsal stadium here in Honiara and that will be followed by additional development in Auki and Gizo.”
Kurukuru team manager Mapuru Tausinga says the players are happy to be home and are thankful to all the people who have contributed to the success of the team.
“I would like to thank Our Telekom, Nice Bola, DJ Graphics, Lion Heart Plant and Hire, Solomon Airlines and Tausinga Outboard for the support they have given us,” Tausinga said.
“If I have not mentioned you and you know you have helped then this word of appreciation is extended to you as well. Finally, I would like to thank all the citizens of this country for believing in us and for all your prayers.”
The Solomon Islands will now go on to represent Oceania at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012.
To watch footage of the Kurukuru’s arrival and victory parade click here
For more on Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb