BY LESLEY FOINAGWA – ISLES MEDIA FREELANCER
For Fitore Sibeamae, football has never been just a sport — it’s a lifelong passion that began in the quiet, humble surroundings of rural West Kwaio in Malaita province and has followed him into old age.
As a dream for the future, Fitore hopes to one day build his own playing field in the village — a legacy for the next generation of football lovers.
Now an elderly man, Fitore vividly recalls the moment he first fell in love with the game.
“As a kid growing up, I loved football since my early childhood,” he said with a smile.
Back in 1960, Fitore’s family moved from their bush home in West Kwaio to settle along the coast near Buma Parish. Their main reason for relocating was to join the Roman Catholic Church, but for young Fitore, the move would spark a lifelong connection to football.
“After we settled there, I saw some of the boys in the village playing soccer,” he said. “At that time, I had never kicked a ball in my life. But watching them really attracted me. I wanted to be like them.”
Driven by personal interest, Fitore asked his mother to make a ball for him. She agreed, crafting one out of coconut leaves — a humble beginning to what would become a lifelong love of the game.
One day, a visiting priest named Father John Macford, originally from Italy, noticed Fitore’s enthusiasm for football and offered to sponsor his education at Buma Primary School. In 1965, Fitore began Grade One at the school.
“I attended Buma Primary School for almost four years,” he recalled. “I studied Grades One, Two, and Four.”
While at Buma, Fitore’s talent thrived. He joined the school’s football league and soon found himself selected to represent the school in inter-school tournaments across Malaita Province.
“I was selected as a goalkeeper — it was my favourite position,” he said proudly.
One of the highlights of his youth was a trip to Rokera Secondary School, where his team won 2-1. Although they didn’t progress further in the tournament, the experience left a lasting impression.
Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties at home, Fitore had to leave school after Grade Four. But his love for football did not end there.
“I decided to form my own team back home,” he said. “Every evening, I would practice with friends in the village.”
Fitore continued to play until 1980, when he finally decided to hang up his boots. He was never able to join a major club in town, but football remained close to his heart.
After retiring from playing, he became a devoted supporter of the Solomon Islands national team, the Bonitos. He also became a big fan of Brazil’s national team, admiring legends like Pelé and Neymar.
“My favourite local club is KOSSA FC because many of their players come from Malaita,” he said.
During international tournaments like the World Cup, Fitore’s dedication as a fan took on a whole new level. Without a television of his own, he would paddle a canoe for three to four kilometres at night just to reach a village where he could watch the matches.
“Watching football means so much to me. I will be a fan until I die,” he said with conviction.
