|
Sports |
Work as a team
By WENDY KATUSELE
THE PNG Football Association’s
congress has been called on to do their homework and work as a
team if they want assistance from the world soccer governing body
– Federation Internationale De Football Association (FIFA).
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said this while addressing members of
the PNGFA congress yesterday during their meeting at the Crowne
Plaza hotel in Port Moresby.
He said while FIFA will be dishing out a total US$21 million in
the next four years to the Oceania region, each member country had
received US$2.5 million under the FIFA financial assistance
programme with Oceania Football Confederation receiving US$250
million grant package.
Blatter also announced FIFA’s US$1 million assistance to PNG,
which was news well received by the members of the PNGFA congress.
He told the congress that in order for football to develop in the
country there had to be unity and solidarity to ensure progress.
“You have to be strong and have responsibilities in your
organisation in the development of football in your country and
region,” Blatter said.
Following the recent media attacks on the PNGFA president,
Blatter’s encouragement should instill solidarity among the PNGFA
congress members.
Blatter later presented a pennant of football for hope to the
Bougainville delegation led by their soccer boss Justin Helele.
He later apologised on his tight schedule but promised to visit
Bougainville if he was re-elected as he was planning on a visit to
Solomon Islands.
Helele said everyone in Buka were looking forward to the FIFA
boss’s visit and although disappointed, now will look forward to
Blatter fulfilling his promise.
A delegation including FIFA officials Glen Turner and the FIFA’s
development officer Asia and Oceania region will travel to
Bougainville today to launch the “Football for Hope” programme.
Blatter also applauded the Somare Government for their support to
various government agencies in promoting soccer and what it can do
for the community.
The FIFA boss had a hectic schedule yesterday opening the Kila
Kila synthetic mini pitch.
He continued to deliver his message of what football can do for
the community at the Koki Learning Centre and later visited the
Port Moresby General Hospital with Health Minister Sir Peter
Barter.
 
|
