Members of the public will have a chance to win prizes, listen to great local music and witness some of the nation’s finest football players at a Family Football Fun Day at Lawson Tama later this month, as the spirit of World Cup 2006 lives on in Honiara.

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), in partnership with the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF), will host the Family Football Fun Day at Lawson Tama on Saturday 22 July, to mark the third anniversary of RAMSI’s arrival.

The day will start with the nation’s next generation of footballing stars taking to the field in a Futsal competition, with the final to take place at 10.30 AM.

The Solomon Islands national under 20 men’s team will then play against a select side comprising members of the national senior men’s team, before the nation’s top women footballers show off their skills in an invitational match.

A final novelty match will pit a team made up of past and present Solomon Islands senior public officials against a mixed partnership team of Solomon Islands Members of Parliament and RAMSI personnel.

RAMSI Special Coordinator James Batley, who will be coaching the combined MPs/RAMSI team along with team captain Deputy Prime Minister Job Tausinga, said he is hoping his team will replicate Italy’s form in the World Cup final, but without the penalties.

“Let’s hope the strength of the combined MPs and RAMSI side can link up some great moves throughout the match to score some goals together early on,” Batley said. “And no doubt, they will provide some entertainment and amusement for the crowd at the same time.”

The opposition team led by the likes of Central Bank Governor Rick Hou, newly-appointed Director of Public Prosecutions Ronald Talasasa, Barnabas Anga and Donald Kudu, will be coached by Ethel Sigimanu and Ruth Liloqula.

Sigimanu has confidently predicted her team will do well, but predicts fun for all at Lawson Tama on the day.

“Ruth and I will be there to make sure our team wins, or else,” Sigimanu said. “But really, I hope to see a large crowd at Lawson Tama to watch the football throughout the programme and let’s enjoy whatever fun the day provides.”

Throughout the day, several popular local bands will perform between matches and at breaks to entertain the crowd. SIFF has also invited premier local sporting clubs to set up stalls selling food and drink inside Lawson Tama.

Random prizes of footballs, netballs, volleyballs and t-shirts will also be given away to lucky members of the crowd at various times during the day.