The Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) deeply values the passion of our football fans and shares their unwavering ambition for national team success. While recent results at the Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime Ministers Cup didn’t meet our immediate expectations, they have only strengthened our resolve and provided valuable lessons for our long-term journey toward excellence.
SIFF is committed to a strategic, long-term approach to football development, supported by FIFA and the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC). We recognize that achieving sustained success requires time, dedication, and careful planning.
Currently, our national teams are in an important rebuilding phase, one that will lay a strong foundation for the future. These short-term results, while challenging, are simply stepping stones towards our broader vision.
The recent changes in the FIFA Coca-Cola World Rankings in rankings reflects our ongoing transition, but we are fully focused on addressing this challenge through targeted development efforts. SIFF is implementing targeted initiatives, such as enhanced coaching programs, greater focus on youth development through the National Football Academy, and strengthened grassroots outreach via the Iumi Play program. These efforts, alongside ongoing performance evaluations, are integral to our goal of reclaiming and improving our standing in international football rankings.
SIFF is committed to transparency and responsible management of football development funds, with stringent oversight from FIFA via the annual FIFA Central Review programme – a global financial audit exercise. Our close collaboration with FIFA ensures that all resources are used effectively, with regular reviews guaranteeing financial accountability. In 2025, the OFC will further enhance this oversight through its own audit review process.
One of our transformative milestone is the establishment of the Solomon Islands’ first-ever National Football Academy, supported by FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme. This academy will serve as a hub for nurturing the next generation of national team players and provide a pathway for young talent to develop their skills. Coupled with this, the revitalization of the “Iumi Play” program will lay a strong foundation for grassroots development, ensuring we cultivate the passion and skills needed for the future.
The recent investments in infrastructure may not have immediate visible results but they are playing a massively important role in player development starting from grassroots level to national teams. Additionally, through the FIFA Forward programme, SIFF is rolling out an unprecedented infrastructure program across our provinces to ensure there is quality facilities available for competitions, training and education programmes.
SIFF’s commitment to advancing football in the Solomon Islands remains unwavering. Through our partnership with FIFA, OFC, the Solomon Islands Government, and our dedicated football community, we are building a legacy of sporting excellence. It is through taking tangible these steps in football development will we secure our future and status in world football.
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SIFF Press Release
