The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) held a meeting yesterday with the Royal Solomon Islands Police to confirm security arrangements for the semi-finals and finals of the Our Telekom Solomon Cup.
The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) held a meeting yesterday with the Royal Solomon Islands Police to confirm security arrangements for the semi-finals and finals of the Our Telekom Solomon Cup.The meeting confirmed that more than 250 security officers including 200 police and military support personnel will be at Lawson Tama to ensure the safety of the members of the public and property inside and outside Lawson Tama.
The SIFF Local Organizing Committee is once again announcing that no sharp instruments or alcohol will be allowed into the games venue. The sale of betel nut and coconuts outside Lawson Tama is also banned. People under the influence of alcohol will be refused entry in a measure to discourage drunk and disorderly conduct which disturbs the peace of spectators.
It was also agreed in the meeting that the kick-off time for the semis and the finals matches will be moved forward by 1 hour. Therefore, the first semi final, between Choiseul and Malaita, today will now kick off at 12:00N. The second semi final, between Honiara and Guadalcanal, will be at 2:00PM. The loser's final on Saturday will kick off at 12:00N, followed by the grand final at 2:00PM.
Match Commissioner's coordinator Stanley Siapu has called on the players to uphold the principle of Fair Play and to behave professionally. 'The crowd often reacts to on field behaviour from players and team officials so we expect our teams to display the true spirit of sportsmanship,' Stanley Siapu said.
The appeal is extended to the public to come out and support their teams with a good heart. Football is for everyone and it is for people to enjoy and spectators must be allowed to enjoy the world game the call from the organisers said. Finals time often poses a difficult security situation and the extra security is aimed at maintaining order and ensuring that people enjoy the finals of the Our Telekom Solomon Cup. Much public debate has raged about the level of security at the opening of the Solomon Cup and the resultant burning down of the SIFF administration building at Lawson Tama by angry fans. Security at Lawson Tama has since been stepped up in subsequent matches and no major incident has occurred since.