THE Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) and friends of football have paid tribute to former National Team Head Coach and SIFF High-Performance Head, Felipe Vega-Arango.
SIFF hosted a farewell dinner to thank the Spaniard after completing his renewed contract as Head Coach and has decided against renewing it. Vega-Arango was first contracted as Technical Director March 2017 and at the end of the contract in 2019, he was appointed as Head Coach. His contract as Head Coach was renewed in 202.
Vega-Arango was instrumental in elevating the National Team’s FIFA World Ranking from 188 to 132 within seven years – a consistent record in Oceania.
He led the senior team to redemption in the 2023 Melanesian Cup and despite the team securing second place at the Pacific Games, his contributions to the High-Performance delivery pathway with the federation have been crucial.
SIFF President Donald Marahare thanked Felipe, saying he has done a tremendous job by contributing to the development of the game.
“Your passion, work and commitment will always be appreciated by football and we want to wish you well in your future endeavors. Remember, Solomon Islands is always your home,” he added.
The Spaniard officially leaves the country this week and his simple message is, “invest more in youth football to see Solomon football flourish.”
“In Solomon, you have to invest in the children. That is the only way.
“I am so sad. Words don’t describe my sadness and it is a sad day. The Solomon Islands stole my heart,” Vega-Arango said.
Vega-Arango thanked the SIFF staff, coaches and players who have worked with him and the Solomon football community for some wonderful years together.
Meanwhile, national players football officials and friends of football also paid tribute to Vega-Arango’s contributions to Solomon Islands football during his contract tenures.
A farewell match was organized at the Lawson Tama Stadium and it saw the participation of social clubs, SIFF Titans, S Titans and Legals United.
By FLOYD TERRY JNR
Solomon Star, Honiara
