BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
THE Solomon Island Football Federation (SIFF) elective congress held at the Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara yesterday elected Donald Marahare as the new President.
Donald, a lawyer by profession and former legal advisor of the Federation has been serving under the outgoing presidency of William Lai. He won by ten (10) votes against fellow candidates, Eddie Omokirioo, Marlon Houkarawa, and Dr. John Iromea.
Under the new leadership of Donald Marahare as the SIFF President-Elect and his Executive Members: Robert Seni (1st Vice President), Tommy Mana (2nd Vice President), and Lyndon Bako, (3rd Vice President) and Elect Ordinary Members: Loyley Ngira, Brian Pongotapu, Tome Kiki, McLean Biliki, a new rebirth in the affairs of the organization is expected soon.
In an interview with RAW SPORTS after his election, Donald Marahare said he’s excited about his victory, as he is also very aware of the massive duty ahead of him and his executive to restore the integrity and good image of football in the Solomon Islands.
“I am happy for the victory. At the same time not only for myself but also for the rest of the members and I think going forward is a new chapter in terms of the history of football in the country.
“But having said that we cannot ignore the fact that the previous executive and the management have also contributed to football. However, going forward we will ensure that the interest of football in this country is safe.
Likewise, Donald vowed to raise the standards of football in both administration and development growth in the next four years through existing key development strategies in collaboration with FIFA and OFC.
“One of the things that we must not ignore is the fact in today’s congress, they had passed a strategic development plan 2023-2026. So, I think most of the plans are in there.
“The challenge now is to ensure that the plans of the actions are properly implemented. Carried out successfully, to ensure football continue. So, a lot of things that I have in mind are already in the development strategic plan.
“One of them is to ensure that its Provincial Football Federation (PFA) has its own football homes. It’s already in the strategic plan so it’s a matter of implementing the strategic plan of action. Otherwise not only implementation but monitoring too is important.
“We wanted to see at least by 2026 when this plan comes to an end in terms of the duration we achieve something.
“There would be challenges. It’s not an easy task. But I believe with the commitment the support of my executive and the management definitely, we can achieve what we have in mind.
“Not only that but what is in the strategic development plan 2023 -2026 have for football in the country,” he told RAW SPORTS.
