Cole thanks Goroka community for support

Sports

THE PNG Under-20 women’s soccer team is grateful to the business community in Eastern Highlands for their support during their stay at the National Sports Institute in Goroka.
Coach Lisa Cole said funding and other resources were always an issue in any developing country like Papua New Guinea but the team have had to be creative and relied on some good people to get them through.
She said former EHP Governor and businessman Malcolm Smith was one of those people who assisted.
Others include the National Sports Institute, Goroka Grammar School, OFC, Fifa, soccer.com and Nike. She was reluctant to discuss funding but said: “Smith, I think it is important to acknowledge his incredible support of the team in Goroka for providing track suits and polos for the team to travel to US and recently he purchased boots for the players.”
Cole said Smith was disappointed because the team have not had more of a connection with someone from the PNG Football Association while in Goroka as they prepared for the World Cup.
“But to be fair to the PNGFA and Port Moresby, they are about to host a world event. It is a busy time for everyone,” she said.
For the team, she said they were just thankful and focused.