| Sports |
Blatter calls on Sir Michael
By WENDY KATUSELE
FIFA president Sepp Blatter made a courtesy call on Prime Minister
Sir Michael Somare yesterday evening at Parliament House.
Sir Michael told Blatter his Government was supportive of the
world body’s vision in promoting soccer as tool for development.
Blatter arrived in a private jet at Port Moresby’s Jackson Airport
at 5pm to a welcome of traditional singsing groups from Oro and
Morobe provinces that captured his heart on the diverse culture of
PNG.
Sir Michael said the opening of the Kila Kila mini pitch and and
visit by Blatter to Koki Community Learning Centre today would go
a long way in promoting what soccer can do for the country.
He also said the country were proud of Sports Minister Dame Carol
Kidu’s inclusion as a member of FIFA’s Fair Play and Social
responsibility committee and Roosje Suwae on FIFA’s disciplinary
committee.
“Soccer has come a long way since its introduction to PNG by
missionaries in late 1880s and today we have over 22 registered
associations and 14,000 players both men and women and this number
is growing,” Sir Michael said.
He said the PNG Football Association’s academy built in Lae with
FIFA funds making the only sporting code in the country to have
their own headquarters and fulltime staff.
“More people in this country, especially in the rural areas, play
soccer than any other sports, and I can assure you that the World
Cup is one major event that the young people of this country look
forward to,” Sir Michael said.
He said since PNGFA’s affiliation to FIFA in 1963, the sport had
developed with growing interest over the years.
Sir Michael also assured Blatter of the Government’s commitment to
develop the Com-Unity project, which promotes what soccer can do
for the community.
Many countries in the world have benefited from this project.
Sir Michael assured Blatter that the Government, through the
Department of Community Development, PNG Sports Foundation and the
National Trust Limited, have discussed issues raised under the
project with relevant Government agencies.
 
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