‘NSL is too expensive’

 By HENRY MORABANG

MOROBE United franchise owner Tuguyawini Libe Parindali has broken his silence over the increasing amount of money franchises are spending to run teams in the National Soccer league.

The foundation sponsor said supporting a franchise in the Telikom backed top tier competition was becoming an “expensive exercise”.

Parindali, whose company Gigira Laitepo has been a constant name in the league since 2006, said sponsoring companies did not get any real benefits from supporting the teams but they stayed on because of their love of the game.

“I am concerned that franchise owners are forking out a lot of money to sponsor teams to particpate in the NSL competitions and we are not recognised for spending so much on the teams each year,” Parindali said.

“There is no incentive in any way given to the franchise owners for how much money we are spending. 

“We seem to be spending money and getting nothing back for our sweat.”

He said for the case of Morobe United, they had been in the competition for eight years but had not received any recognition by the National Soccer League, the Papua New Guinea Football Association and even the government for promoting the sport.

“For us, we have been there for the love of the game. 

“But it would be better if there was some sort of arrangement where franchise owners are recognised for their money that is spent to promote soccer in the country,” Parindali said.

The Southern Highlander’s concern comes after the National Soccer League board made an executive decision for each franchise to meet their own costs for airfares, accommodation, meals and transport on away games in 2014 which was not the case in the past seasons where the NSL subsidised these costs.

Parindali said the action was taken without proper consultation with stakeholders.