Omokirio has joined the SIFF technical department and will work with existing staff on education programmes spanning across football, futsal and beach soccer. Later in the year, he will assume the newly-created post of beach soccer elite head coach as part of the FIFA-funded Goal Project programme.
Omokirio is not a new face within the Solomon Islands football scene and has been involved as a player for 17 years.
During those years, he has represented his country at youth and senior level and has also been a member of the national beach soccer team since 2006.
Omokirio feels privileged to have become a staff member at the national federation and is pleased to be expanding his career into the development of football after a long playing career.
“I think it is the right move for me to work in SIFF because I am sure that here I can continue my commitment and passion for football at another level,” he says.
Omokirio brings with him a wealth of experience and professionalism from his 12 years of work in the local banking sector. On the football side, he holds an English FA Level 2 coaching licence and FIFA certificates for beach soccer coaching.
Fellow new staff member Jerry Ruakana will work in the SIFF finance department and will oversee the accounts for the Our Telekom partnership and projects including FIFA Goal Project, Win in Oceania and LEARN&play.
Ruakana holds a diploma in accounting from the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education and has 25 years of experience from working in the banking and private sectors.
SIFF General Secretary Eddie Ngava says the office is fortunate to be welcoming such qualified and motivated people into the team.
“We are developing a strong team to meet our obligations to FIFA, OFC, our partners and to the public,” he says. “Gideon and Jerry are both experienced and I am sure that SIFF will benefit greatly from their service.”
The new appointments mean the number of full-time staff working at SIFF has now increased to 16.
Story courtesy of SIFF Media.
For more on Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb