| Sports |
FIFA to help PNG develop soccer
pitches
PNG Football Association is expected
to receive US$1million in development grant to build soccer
pitches in 20 provinces.
The Oceania Football Confederation president Reynald Temarri said
during the Com-Unity seminar in Port Moresby, many association
presidents asked for soccer pitches for their area.
Temarri said it would cost US$1million, which will be confirmed by
the FIFA president Sepp Blatter when he flies in tomorrow
afternoon.
He said OFC, PNGFA and PNG Government are working on an agreement
where government will allow tax exemption on all football goods
coming into the country.
They are also working closely with Education Department to develop
a programme at school level where competition can be held every
two years. It is more like a soccer festival.
The first Oceania Youth Soccer Festival was held last year in Fiji
where PNG sent two teams.
Temarri said the Regional Soccer Festival would really help the
teachers and provide incentives to children to play soccer.
The winners of the tournament automatically qualify for World Cup
in France.
About 32 countries took part in the inaugural Cup and the winners
of the tournament last year will qualify in 2007.
President Temarri said there have been ties established between
European countries and the island countries to exchange players.
English Football have signed co-operation deals between Fiji and
Solomon Islands - and hopefully more countries in Oceania will
established ties with the clubs in Europe.
He said next year, PNG should be able to host two international
matches in the country which should see the rise of the standard.
"We have to work on ways to improve the National Soccer League in
the country which is very good to take the game forward and to a
higher level," he said.
 
|
