Sport in The Solomon Islands
This country of 74 local dialects all understands one word when it comes to sports, GOAL. Yes, this former British Protectorate has inherited the Europeans' love for football. Football is actually recognized as the national sport of the Solomon Islands with various competitions and leagues running pretty much all year round.
The Solomon Islands Football Federation makes sure that the newer generation does not fall short when it comes to their exposure to the sport. They became a member of FIFA in 1988. Their first stab at international recognition was when they became the first team to win against a large favorite New Zealand in the World Cup 2006.
Other associated football related sports like futsal and beach soccer are also quite popular in Solomon Islands. Their national futsal team was the Oceania Futsal Championship winners in 2008 which then qualified them for the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup held in Brazil. They remain the team to beat in futsal in the Oceania region. Team captain Elliot Ragomo also holds the record of fastest goal in an official futsal match. He scored a goal within three seconds in their game against New Caledonia in July 2009. Their beach soccer team also is no pushover. They have taken the Oceania Regional Championships three times which also qualified them for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup each and every time.
Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to The Solomon Islands. Is there something missing? If you know of something that should be listed here, please let us know.
Popular sports of The Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands Sporting Success
Great athletes from The Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands Sports trivia
- On 7 October 2008, the Solomon Islands established a record for the worst defeat in the history of the Futsal World Cup, when it was beaten by Russia with two goals to thirty-one. On the other hand, in July 209 the Solomon Islands national futsal team set the world record for the fastest ever goal scored in an official futsal match. It was set by Kurukuru captain Elliot Ragomo, who scored against New Caledonia three seconds into the game.
The Solomon Islands at major events
Past sporting events hosted in The Solomon Islands
- 1981 Mini Pacific Games
Upcoming sporting events in The Solomon Islands
- 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara
Annual sporting events held in The Solomon Islands
Sporting Facilities in The Solomon Islands
- Lawson Tama Stadium - a multi-purpose stadium in Honiara, mostly for football matches
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