Courtesy: Solomon Star News


Parliament passes their best wishes

Wednesday, 03 September 2008

By CHARLES KADAMANA

PARLAMENT got into the sporting spirit on Tuesday.

Parliamentarians rallied their support behind our young Solomon Kurukuru national futsal (indoor soccer) team. It came as the Oceania champions departed for Brazil and the FIFA Futsal World Cup.

The Kurukuru team were invited to Parliament by the Speaker, Sir Peter Kenilorea, before they left for Honiara International Airport.

A special congratulatory motion was moved by Prime Minister Derek Sikua. He said Parliament, on behalf of all Solomon Islanders, wishes the futsal team every success in the knowledge that they will represent their country proudly.

The Prime Minister said: "In recognition of such an historical achievement, I propose to move a motion to congratulate our National Futsal Soccer team and to send them off with the support and well wishes of the Legislature and the people of Solomon Islands who we represent.

"The National Parliament of Solomon Islands acknowledges with enormous pride the achievement of the Solomon Islands National Futsal Soccer Team in becoming the first national representative in the Futsal soccer code to represent the Oceania region and the Solomon Islands at the 7th FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil scheduled to be held in October, 2008."
Futsal is a five-aside version of soccer played indoors.

The Kurukuru flew to Australian on Tuesday afternoon. They will train and play warmup matches before the tournament.

Their opening game is 1 October against Cuba in Brasilia, Brazil's capital.




Courtesy: Solomon Times


What is the Kurukuru?

by GINA MAKA'A

If you are not a Solomon Islander, you may have wondered about the name 'Kurukuru' as used by the Solomon Islands National Futsal Team.
Kurukuru is actually a Solomon Islands term for the Pigeon bird.

The Kurukuru bird is a common Solomon Islands household pet with a stout body and red feet. It is usually in the dark grey or black color.

The Kurukuru bird is commonly found in the temperate and tropical region and feeds only on seeds and fruits, its favourite being the famous Solomon Island's Ngalinut fruit.

You may have also wondered why Solomon Islanders picked the name Kurukuru as it sounds nothing like its common name the 'Pigeon.'

According to Mr. Barry Samson from the famous Marovo Lagoon, the name Kurukuru originated from the Western Province, way before people knew the original name of the bird.

The name came about because of the sound the pigeon bird makes that is 'Kuru kuruu kurukruu.' This then resulted in 'Kurukuru' which stuck and is now widely used throughout the Solomons.

Even today, most Solomon Islands do not know what the actual name of the Kurukuru is. But hold up a picture of the bird and you will get "ohh, yes Kurukuru."

The Kurukuru bird is one of the harmless bird creatures, the reason why it is a preferred household pet.

However, because Solomon Islanders also eat this bird, the amount of these birds being killed for food is high, the reason for it being rarely sighted.

According to Mr. Samson, Solomon Islanders should take more consideration for this bird and protect them.





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