The building will house a VIP and administration room on the top floor while the bottom level will contain the changing rooms for teams using the academy field.
The start of work at the SIFF academy in Honiara comes as a similar structure nears completion at the Aligegeo field in Malaita, while another one will be constructed at the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Gizo once the improvements to the playing surface are completed.
Funds for the construction of the building at the academy have been drawn from the FIFA Win In Oceania project which SIFF applied for in 2008 and has also met the costs of the recently completed perimeter fencing around the Aligegeo field.
FIFA are also providing finance through the Goal Project – an initiative to help national associations around the world improve their facilities – for the undertaking of the same improvements at the John F. Kennedy Stadium but SIFF is meeting all the costs for the new building at Aligegeo.
General secretary Eddie Ngava says the work being carried out is eveidence of the commitment SIFF has to developing football in the Solomon Islands.
“Contrary to what critics of football want people to believe, we are working hard to set down the foundation for football development today and for many years ahead,” he says.
“You can see work progressing in Auki, Gizo and here in Honiara where SIFF is addressing the need for proper competition venues that can cater for national competitions including the NSL and international matches.”
Work on venues for futsal and beach soccer in Honiara, Malaita and Western Province are being lined up to start after the completion of the 11-a-side venues in 2011.
For more on Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb