The Solomon Islands Basketball Federation (SIBF) now has a new Executive Board (EB) following their Special Annual General Meeting election held at the NOCSI Conference Room, on Sunday 25 October, 2020.

Cyril Bernard Rachman of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) was voted as the new President of SIBF, following an overwhelming majority vote over the only other candidate for the top federation post.

Mr. Rachman, who holds a Masters in Engineering, is currently the Senior Lecturer and Head of Department for Building, Civil Engineering, Construction and Surveying at SINU, and brings with him extensive experience in his area of expertise, plus a strong background in sports management and administrative support.

“Basketball is my sport, and I have played it since primary school, but although I have not excelled much as a player, my passion has enabled me to continue engaging in the sport” Rachman stated in his address as new President.

“I have been actively involved in the management and administrative roles aspect on basketball over several teams and clubs from Papua New Guinea and Fiji”, he added.

“With the support from the basketball community, I hope I can bring fresh new approach to the development of basketball in the country”,

The election for SIBF board members was conducted under the oversight of the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) Governance Commission. The election was necessary to help SIBF re-align itself with NOCSI and re-focus itself as a member under its International Federation (IF), FIBA and FIBA Oceania. Growing concerns were raised at IF level regarding the status of basketball following its suspension from NOCSI and the current unstable environment at the federation level.

A total of 22 individuals representing various basketball clubs and teams in and around Honiara took ownership of the process to elect the new EB committee altogether.

The newly elected SIBF Executive Board members are as follows:

President – Cyril Bernard Rachman

Vice President - Augustine Basia

Secretary – Dr. Merry Sailonga Faluaburu

Treasurer – Debbie Sade

Ordinary Members – Timmy Magi, John Foimua and Uriel Matanani

First order of business to is to deal with governance issues by addressing key policies that govern and guide the operations of SIBF.