The Solomon Islands Minister of Home Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Douglas Ete has announced the appointment of lawyer Gabriel Suri as the new Chairman of the National Sports Council.

Suri’s appointment became effective on February 23 for a period of two years. The post was left vacant following the passing away of former Chairman, the late Andrew Nori in July 2013.

Minister Ete will also appoint a Deputy Chairman and Council members in coming days.

“These appointments are necessary to ensure that the NSC which was established by an Act of Parliament to perform its mandated duties in overseeing and promoting sports in the country,” Hon. Ete said today.

The NSC is a government regulatory body under the Ministry of Home Affairs that is responsible for sports under the National Sports Council Act.

Newly appointed Chairman Gabriel Suri said he is honored to take up the Chairmanship position and looked forward to set his priorities to ensure the council becomes an effective regulatory sporting body.

“I took this as an honorable appointment and I will put up my priorities and goals to ensure the NSC effectively perform its mandated duties.

Some of the priority areas Mr Suri has indicated include reviewing the National Sports Council Act, Government funding for Sports, creating more sporting and recreational facilities and encouraging government and private partnership to develop sporting facilities in the country.

Minister Ete said he is looking forward to work closely with the new NSC members, especially, in amending the current National Sports Council Act.

Source: Press Release, Government Communications Unit