Deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga delivering his remarks at the TSL presentation night on Saturday at the Coral Sea Casino Resort

MARIST FC and Western United soccer clubs have been encouraged to carry on with the nation’s dreams and aspiration to do well and reached newer heights in the upcoming Oceania Championship’s League in Tahiti early next month.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Manasseh Maelanga echoed this during his keynote address at the Telekom S-League presentation night at the Coral Sea Casino Resort on Saturday night.

“To the teams that are going to represent the country in the next level of competition may you carry on with you our dreams to do well and reached newer heights,” he said.

Mr Maelanga said football or soccer is the number one national sport in the country.

“Firstly because it is played in all the communities and islands in the length and breadth of our country and secondly it is watched by hundreds of spectators as we continue to witness in the S – League and HFA matches.”

He congratulate the winners of the 2016 season of the Telekom S-League and all the participating teams for making it another successful year for all.

The Champions of the 2016 season Marist FC were awarded the winning Trophy, Gold Medal and $180,000 cash.

Western United took the second place and was awarded $140,000.

Solomon Warriors scooped $100,000 for the third place, and Malaita Kings walked away with $50,000 for the fourth place.

Western United’s forward Henry Fa’arodo Jnr has awarded the best player of the 2016 TSL season award.

James Naka on the other hand was awarded the Golden boot award for scoring 27 goals in the season.

Commins Menapi was awarded the Telekom S-League Coach of the season, and West Honiara FC receives Fair play award.