BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
THE National Olympic Committee of the Solomon Islands announced the names of the 24 Sports Development Officers for the upcoming 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara.
The Sports Development Officers’ (SPOs) primary role of engagement is to work in partnership to support the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS) High-Performance programs towards the development and growth of athletes representing the 24 national sports federations in the country ahead of the 2023 Pacific Games.
The official announcement was made on 8 September 2022 by the National Olympic Committee of the Solomon Islands (NOCSI) at the SINIS complex, east of Honiara.
SINIS Executive Director, Aaron Alsop confirmed his excitement regarding the official announcement of the Sports Development Officers.
“We are very excited about the opportunity the program will be supporting in terms of allowing the sports development officers to support the athletes of their respective federations for the upcoming Games.
“It’s very important that we distinguish the difference between a Head coach and SDOs because we have different responsibilities,’’ Aaron Alsop said.
He said this program is going to complement the ongoing work of the federations towards its preparation for the 2023 Pacific Games in the country.
Here are the names of the 24 Sports Development Officers for the upcoming 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara.
- Athletics – Regional Hou
- Basketball – David Moses Kivo
- Boxing – Hanna Malkmus
- Football – Gerald Oiaka
- Golf – George Rukabo
- Judo -Tony Lomo
- Rugby Union (7s) – Frank Paikea
- Swimming – Stance Beula Sanga
- Table Tennis – Gary Edward Nuopula
- Va’a – Esther Yates
- Volleyball Indoor/BVB – Fred Songeika
- Taekwondo – Nelson Ramoi
- Tennis – Doreen Ningalo
- Weightlifting – Apollos Saeg
- Sailing – Geoffrey Sall Baragamu
- Archery – Kelly Baedonga
- Bodybuilding – Charles Dolofera
- Hockey – Kali Belo Sade
- Karate – Selwyn Kuru
- Netball – Freda Wickham
- Powerlifting – Victor Wai’ia
- Rugby League – MC- yevar Kaipua
- Touch rugby –TBC
- Triathlon – NathanThompson Siofa