Courtesy: Solomon Star News


Ragomo ‘Sports Man of the year’

by Carlos Aruafu

Tuesday, 01 November 2011

Solomon Islands futsal ace, Elliot Ragomo has scooped the National Sports Council’s Sports Man of the year award.

Ragomo received the award worth of $10, 000 on Friday night during the inaugural awards night organised by the Solomon Islands Sports Council (NSC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He was presented with the award by His Excellency the Governor General Sir Frank Kabui.

Ragomo said he was honored to receive one the country’s top sports award.

“This came as a shock; I did not expect it but I’m proud to receive this award,” he said.

He acknowledged the NSC and Ministry of Home Affairs for making it possible for him to win the award and for recognizing youth through sports.

He extended his acknowledgement to his family, guardians and friends who have supported him through his sports life.

The award will be added to his collection of awards Ragomo had received in the past tournaments both in country and abroad.

The NSC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), David Firisua explained, selecting Ragomo for the award was difficult as he was among other nominees for the top men’s award.

He then said the selection panel was convinced of selecting Ragomo after observing his commitment to the futsal sport in the Solomon Islands.

“This young man convinced the panel through his commitment for futsal, he was called upon many times by football clubs overseas but he declined with strong mind that he remains with the Kurukuru team for the upcoming FIFA futsal World Cup,” he said.

Mr Firisua then clarified that the selection panel for the awards was an independent body from the NSC and the selection was based on criteria input by the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

He encouraged other sports men and women to take this year’s presentation of awards as a motivation towards next year’s awards.

He said the event will be an annual event and as time goes on the number of top sports awards will likely increase.

Meanwhile for the other three awards, the Sports Woman of the Year award was awarded to Weightlifting’s Ms Jennilyn Wini Tigu.

The Coach of the year Award went to Weightlifting’s coach Leslie Ata and the Federation of the Year Award was presented to the Solomon Islands Netball Federation (SINFED).




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com