The Solomon Islands National Institute of Sport (SINIS) High–Performance program is partnering with national education institutions to re-establish the Solomon Islands Tertiary Association of Sport (SITAS).
SITAS inaugural formation in 2019 focused toward organizing and facilitating representation of all recognized universities and tertiary training institutions in the country that has an interest in sport programs for their students.
Currently, a constitution has been agreed and reviewed following an Interim Committee being nominated and put in place with.
“Our first meeting was in 2019, and we have reconvened last week to establish the updated committee as some of the previous committees had moved on,” SITAS Interim President Aaron Alsop stated.
SITAS 2022 Calendar is being developed with key sport cluster days each term and the annual Tertiary Games in December, and any recognized institutions are welcome to become a member including Rural Training Centres (RTC).
“We aim to create a strong membership base of tertiary institutions and ensure that we have strong communication and links with the committee and members. We will be conducting a range of programs including the sport cluster days aligned to key international dates along with some talent identification programs leading towards the emerging talent scholarships,” Alsop explained.
Available opportunities include; Talent Identification, Multi-Sport Cluster days, on-campus programs and international events.
One of the key role of the SITAS is to forward needs, requirements, concerns and wishes of its member bodies to national and international institutes, with guidelines of International University Sports Federation – FISU and that will also acquire assistance from SINIS for tertiary sport development towards Pacific Games 2023 and beyond.
Alsop also confirmed that the committee is organizing a logo competition, where students are to be given the opportunity to create a new SITAS logo and win a cash prize of $1000.
SITAS Vice President, and an active member representing the Solomon Islands National University (SINU), Patrick Miniti, stated that the set-up of SITAS is very important as it plays a vital role, acting as the focal point in organizing tertiary sports competitions.
“As a representative for SINU we thank SINIS for the leadership in setting up the committee moving forward with sports and education,” Miniti said.
“When the committee is registered, there will be a working partnership with SINIS where university students can also get the opportunities available for elite sports and other aspects.
“For me, its history in the making with SITAS. As someone who has been dealing with sports for quite a long time, I see this as an important collaborative avenue giving more confidence, kind of motivation for students. It makes them think a bit further in terms of sports and education development.
SITAS objective to promote, coordinate and develop domestic and international level tertiary sport throughout Solomon Islands.
Source: SINIS Press Release