BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
A resident from Sulufou Artificial Island, Malaita province has told RAW SPORTS that based on what he has seen so far, there is a need to improve the playing surface on the Rerede football field, which is not suitable enough for modern-day football.
He said the field pitch quality will not aid in the development of talent, which he says is in abundance in the artificial islands of Sulufou, Adagege, Fouia, Liunasi and others, which is situated in the Baegu/Asifola constituency in the Northern region of Malaita province.
“We have a good number of young football talents here and I believe there are fast, and skilled players — so that’s the positive part. But I think the problem is the field,” David Seleni told RAW SPORTS during a recent visit to that particular province of the country.
Established in the early 50s, the Rerede football field had produced several of the country’s top footballers, who have now retired, whilst a few currently playing football in the country’s domestic league and are members of the national football squad.
“The majority of football players from the artificial islands of Sulufou, Adagege, Fouia, Liunasi and others have started their football career from the Rerede football field, which is situated on the mainland.
“Rerede football field has produced top footballers like the late Hendry Suri, Jack Ofu, George Suri, Robert Suri, Jeffrey Koimae, Lesley Leo, Timothy Bakale, and Atkin Kaua.
“All these players are promoted from the Rerede football pitch,’’ said David, who is also a keen footballer in the past.
He said during rainy days, the slippery, muddy and bumpy field makes it difficult for players to control and pass the ball accurately.
“It [the field issue] really affects and controls what kind of football is played in this part of Malaita and so now — coming from an artificial island with the majority of its youths are talented footballers, it is really a struggle because we don’t have the resources to improve our football field situated on the mainland.
“The Rerede football pitch is the only field that our young footballers from the artificial islands of Sulufou, Adagege, Fouia, Liunasi, and others have used to play football matches and tournaments,” David said.
David has now called on the responsible football authority in the country to assist them with the immediate upgrade development of the Rerede football field.
“I call to the responsible football authority to develop a delivery plan and explore funding opportunities to improve our only football field.
“So, it’s important that we continue to play and improve our young talented footballers,” he said.
