THE Solomon Islands Basketball Federation (SIBF) and the Honiara City Council (HCC) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Multi-Purpose Hall to be the official venue for the High School Basketball Competition (HSBC) 2024.
The MOA was signed yesterday at the HCC Office between the HCC City Clerk Mr Justus Denni and the Vice President of SIBF Mr Douglas Marau.
In a statement today SIBF Vice President Marau has expressed gratitude that the much anticipated high school competition will finally kick off following the signing to allow multipurpose hall as the official competition venue.
Marau has also thanked the City Clerk and his office for assisting in this endeavour that will be a moral boost to the high school basketball competition.
“This competition is very important for us (SIBF) because we will also be using this competition to select our development squad. Multipurpose Hall had in the past been the home of basketball and we are encouraged by the trust and confidence given to us by the HCC to host the competition here again after so many years,” he said.
Marau said high school basketball as well as the senior basketball league had been missing out on a proper venue for many years and this is a positive step for the SIBF Board.
Chairman of the HSBC 2024 Mr Jefferson Patovaki has also welcomed the commitment made by HCC to support high school basketball.
He said the HSBC official opening is set for this Sunday 26th May at the Multi-Purpose Hall.
Patovaki said a meeting for all sports masters and technical officials is scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday 23 rd May), 4pm at the Youth Hub Chinatown.
“This is an important meeting for all sports masters to inform them of the fixtures for this Sunday including the ground rules so it is advisable that everyone must attend,” he said.
The HSBC Chairman said fixtures for Sunday’s matches is expected to be published in the media and the SIBF facebook page after tomorrow’s meeting.
“We are anticipating a very competitive tournament this year,” he said.
A total of twelve high schools will be competing this year in two different pools for both boys and girls.
Pool A: Bishop Epalle Catholic School, Betikama Adventist College, Woodford International School, White River CHS, Selwyn College and St Nicholas College.
Pool B: King George Sixth School, Koloale CHS, Tenaru Secondary School, Honiara High School, Vura CHS, Burnscreek High School.
