Panatina Chemist Limited had donated of $6,000 towards the Pikinini Rugby development program conducted by the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation Development Department.
The funds are specifically for competition prizes and referee payments for the Pikinini Rugby competition that will kick off Tuesday 6 May.Managing Director of the Panatina Chemist Limited, Dr. Obed Alemaena in handing over the cheque said that his firm is happy to make the donation.
He said although may be small, it is hoped the fund should help the Solomon Islands Rugby Union Federation to run the Pikinini Rugby competitions for this year.
Dr. Alemaena highlighted that the important thing is to assist children who joined pikinini rugby as sport does have health, social and personal benefits.
"We are more than happy to assist children of the Pikinini Rugby program."
In response, Nick Hatigeva of the Solomon Islands Rugby Development Department on behalf of the children of the Pikinini Rugby program and SIRUF thanked Dr. Alemaena and the directors, management and staff of Panatina Chemist for the generous donation.
Mr. Hatigeva highlighted that the donation is the first for an organization to set funds towards this important children rugby development program since it started last year.
He assured the company that the funds will be fully utilized for the Pikinini Rugby competition and hopes that the firm would in return get the publicity and promotion that it deserved from this partnership.
Mr. Hatigeva said as a token of appreciation for the donation, the program will be referred to as the Panatina Chemist Limited Pikinini Rugby Competition.
The competition is set to kick off on Tuesday 6 May at 3pm at Panatina Oval, with teams to compete in age levels 7 to 10 in a modified rugby game call Pikinini Rugby.
Children aged 11 and 12 will compete in another modified rugby game called Smol Rugby while those aged 13 and 14 will compete in what is termed as Barava Rugby.
Parents are urged to come along and support their children during the competition.