RFMF Team Organises Volleyball Tourney to Promote Peace, Unity Among Youths

Members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) contingent in the Solomon Islands are promoting peace and unity.

The RFMF contingent deployed there, accomplished this by organising a volleyball tournament among youths of Burns Creek and the surrounding suburbs.

With the theme ‘We can’t always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future,’ the two-day tournament which concluded on Friday was a success.

The sports tournament aimed to bring the youths together to enjoy a competitive tournament and build bonds with community leaders, faith-based organisations, as well as local law enforcement agencies.

Fijian Contingent Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Asaeli Toanikeve, said sports had been known to bring about unity and that was the objective of the tournament.

“We want to change the stigma that’s always associated with Burns Creek and show the Solomons and the rest of the world that unity can be achieved if we leave our differences aside and work for the common good for the betterment of the community and the nation,” he said.

Earlier in the week, LieutenantColonel Toanikeve led the Fijian Contingent conducted a clean-up and repainting of the run-down Burns Creek Medical Centre.

Chairman

The chairman of Burns Creek community, Pastor Martin Nehemiah, after consultation with Staff Sergeant (SSgt) Anitelu Natoga, the Fijian contingent medical representative and the Solomon Islands Health Ministry, has now urged his fellow kinsmen to get their vaccine shots during the tournament.

Chief guest for the sports day,

Paulini Tamaninuve, from the University of the South Pacific (USP) Solomon Island Campus acknowledged the noble aim behind the event.

“This theme could not be more relevant and timely in these unprecedented times when our youths are suppressed and marginalised,” she said.

“We need to change our perception of youths and recognise the potential for building up a better and peaceful Solomon Islands.”

Challenge

The youths were challenged to remain optimistic and chase their dreams and make a difference in their homes, communities and the nation at large.

Defence personnel from both the Australian and New Zealand Defence Force also attended the event as they continue to support the Solomon International Assisting Force on community engagement

Far Left-Fijian Contingent Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Asaeli Toanikeve with senior officers from the Solomon International Assiting Force.

Facing camera is Staff Sergeant Anitelu Natoga medical nurse assisting the Solomon Islands Health Department during the Covid vaccination drive.

Australian Defence Force personnel amongst the children in Burns Creek, Solomon Islands enjoys a day of sports.