"The Vanuatu team is looking forward to the Wantok Cup competition and look forward to making it a regular competition," says the General Secretary of Vanuatu Football Federation, George Lapson.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday at the SIFF Academy office, Mr. Lapson said that though the Vanuatu side did not prepare much, "I believe both countries will benefit from this game."He added that the competition is a good opportunity to test young and new players.
In response, SIFF's Eddie Ngava said that the Wantok Cup is to make the Solomon Islands Government recognize the importance of the competition.
"The whole idea of this Wantok Cup is to make the three neighboring countries Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, to develop a strong relationship through sports," he said.
Mr. Ngava said that although PNG could not make it to be part of the competition, "at least Vanuatu is here".
The conference heard that the PNG side was not able to come to the Solomons "due to some financial problem".
Mr. Ngava said that the competition will start with just the two countries "but we are really hoping that other Pacific countries will take interest to be part of the Wantok Cup".