For a community in the Solomon Islands still rebuilding after a devastating tsunami in 2007, FIFA and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) have given the gift of hope.

Almost 1000 ‘Just Play’ equipment bags were donated to 103 schools in the Western Province recently through the FIFA Football for Hope and OFC Football for Life initiatives that support the rebuilding process by promoting engagement in sport.

The donation was made by FIFA and OFC officials during a ceremony in Gizo where more than 300 enthusiastic youngsters gathered along with representatives of the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF).

Almost 50 people lost their lives during the April 2007 tsunami and thousands more were left homeless.

OFC President Reynald Temarii says the donation is a gesture of continuing support for the people of Gizo and surrounding areas.

“FIFA and OFC are committed to supporting the development of Pacific communities through various social responsibility programmes,” said President Temarii.

“In this case we are aware that schools in the Western Province are still recovering from the 2007 disaster so we have provided them with ‘Just Play’ packs containing balls, cones and bibs for the children to use.”

Developed by OFC Technical Director Jim Selby, ‘Just Play’ is a grassroots programme that promotes physical activity (especially but not only football) for kids aged 6-13 and encourages community involvement. It has been introduced in schools across the region including the Solomon Islands. 

Selby presented the ‘Just Play’ packs to the Western Province Football Association for distribution through the Ministry of Education to all primary schools affected by the tsunami. Local villages and churches will also receive the equipment to ensure football activities are available to children in the most remote rural communities.

One of the recipients, Goldie College Principal Tito Mamani, expressed his appreciation in a moving speech during the ceremony.

“Goldie College is a very old school, bombarded by time and the elements and to make matters worse, mercilessly handicapped by the April 2007 natural disaster, which we are still trying to recover from,” said Mamani.

“Thankfully in the midst of our hardship, FIFA, OFC and SIFF have helped to rehabilitate the school through their grassroots programme.”

The presentation coincided with the official groundbreaking at John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) Stadium in Gizo where FIFA has approved the development of the grounds to international standards under the Goal III Project.

FIFA Development Officer for Oceania Glenn Turner, who was in Gizo for the groundbreaking, says that while JFK has been the best playing field in the Western Province for many years it still falls short of meeting FIFA’s international requirements. It will therefore undergo an extensive facelift including the establishment of a technical development centre for football.

Ends