Soccer chief lashes out at 'unfair treatment' by PNGSF
By WENDY KATUSELE
THE fate our national men's soccer
team to the Pacific Games still hangs in the balance with Papua
New Guinea Football president David Chung angry over what he calls
unfair treatment by the Papua New Guinea Sports Federation's
Justification Committee.
The omission of the mens team has sparked criticism from all over
the soccer fraternity calling on the president Chung and his
executives after failing to adhere to the JC's requirements.
But Chung has stood his grounds that while soccer is the only
sport penalised there were other sports that also did not meet
requirements of submitting their players bio data and paying their
first installment of levies.
"Why hit hard at soccer as we were one sport that paid our first
installment of levies and by not attending to one meeting and
failing to submit our players' biodata this is what we get," Chung
said.
Chung said he had questioned PNGSF secretary General Sir John
Dawanincura at a meeting held last week between PNGFA, PNGSF and
Minister responsible for sports Dame Carol Kidu that why were the
men's team omitted and women's team reinstated.
Chung said Sir John's response was that based on performance
requirements the women's team was ranked second in the region.
"Didn't soccer break the constitution and why is the women team
included then, there is more to that soccer has been severely
punished," Chung said.
Despite options taken as to PNGFA to meet its own expenses to the
games that were fallen on deaf ears.
Chung said Oceania Football Confederation secretary general Thai
Nicholas was still awaiting PNGSF to repeal its decision so the
mens team can be included in the draw that was made two weeks ago.
Chung who is also the Vice President of OFC is very angry that
other sports who failed like soccer were never penalized.
It is understood Dame Carol is also angry at the decision,
directing the PNG Sports Foundation executive director John
Kambuou to write a letter to the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.
