By PETER PIA
TRAINING and preparations are well underway for Enga U12 Schoolboys soccer team that will represent Papua New Guinea at the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U12 Football Festival tournament in Noumea, New Caledonia, later this year.
The Enga team was invited by Oceania Football Federation (OFC) president Reynald Temari during the ground breaking ceremony of the Wabag Technical Football School in Wabag.
The school will serve the highlands region.
Organising chairman Mark Sakol told The National yesterday that a strong 26-man train-on squad was named and the training was progressing smoothly at the Wabag Primary School oval.
He said: “It is a pleasure and privileges for the recognition given by PNGFA and OFC to invite us represent the country since the Wabag MP Sam Abal initiated the Wabag District School Soccer challenge program in 2005.
“It’s a dream come true for the kids because having an international exposure is a goal, and motivation to make the code lively.”
Sakol said conformation and sanction was already given by PNGFA president David Chung and his executives to send a 15-man squad with three technical officials.
He said the final selection would be held between possible and probable which would be officiated by Sports and Community Affairs Minister Dame Carol Kidu, French Government officials, Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Abal and his officials together with other dignitaries.
Sakol also thanked Abal for his initiation introducing the junior soccer programme in 2005 where it got much publicity and outside exposure.
He said he was very pleased with OFC and PNGFA’s commitment to take his Under 12 team to New Caledonia.