NOCSI Launches 2023 PG SDO Project

A total of 24 Sports Development Officers representing the 24 sports for the Pacific Games 2023 were announced during the launching at the Solomon Islands National Institute of Sports(SINIS) in Honiara on Thursday September 8.

 NOCSI President Martin Rara explained the launching of the SDO program is part of the preparations towards achieving the 40-goal medal target set by the Government.

“ONOC Secretary General Rick Blas, was the initiator of the idea after hearing of the 40 Gold medal target for Team Solomon in the Pacific Games 2023.

“He suggested that we could have SDOs to assist the program run by NOCSI, go out to the Federations look for the talents in collaboration with SINIS then select the talents to be trained.

“The ONOC president also came onboard with so much support which eventuated with the launching today,”he said.

The NOCSI President highlighted that the program is supported by ONOC and OSF, and that both organizations really want the Solomon Islands to runt his program to achieve results at the Pacific Games next year.

President Rara also briefed all SDOs of their roles and responsibilities.

“Despite living abroad, they are very concerned about the success ofTeam Solomon, the success of your Federations

“The intention of the program is for SDOs to help out in running eachFederation’s Development programs and select athletes which will be further grown at the High-Performance Center in collaboration with SINIS and other stakeholders.

“The SDO will go around as far as the other nine Provinces, find data, results and those results will help federations select athletes,” he added.

He further described the initiative as an investment and is very excited about the opportunity this program is going to be supporting in terms of development officers for sports federations

“As a Sports Development Officer (SDO) you need to make sure you are out there supporting the growth and anticipation of your sport,” he said.

 Vice President ONOC and IOC Member, Baklai Temengil in her zoom message said the SDOs role is critical to the delivery of a successful Games.

“I would like to congratulate the appointedSDOs that will be announced and those whose appointments are now being finalized.

"Your role from today onwards will be critical to the delivery of the Games in 2023 and we at ONOC look forward to working with you, through NOCSI, and supporting you in the best way we can.

"ONOC, as the initiator of the programme, would provide funding for it through NOCSI.  

"Each respective SDO will be responsible for liaising with OSEP to jointly coordinate and deliver programmes for their sport.

"RespectiveSDOs will also coordinate Sports Medicine courses with the ONOC MedicalCommission and Anti-Doping courses with the Oceania Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (ORADO),” she said.

Temengil revealed the decision to host the launching of the program came about following recent discussions between ONOC, NOCSI, NHA and the 24 Oceania SportsFederations (OSFs) on the 2023 Games programme.

Sports Development Officer Representative Fred Songeika on behalf of the SDOs thanked ONOC and NOCSI for the initiative.

“SDOs play a vital role within the National Sports Federations setup.

“They are the specialists, the catalyst to promoting, delivering and driving sports development across the country.

“This initiative has come at the right time and on behalf of all theSDOs would like to thank ONOC, NOCSI with the support of other stakeholders for this great initiative,” he said.

‍

‍