Admiralty shows colours

 MANUS Provincial Government (MPG) has officially launched its  National Soccer League (NSL) team, the Admiralty Peliau Football Club to debut in the this year’s semi-professional competition.

The franchise was officially launched last Friday by Manus Governor, Charlie Benjamin in Lorengau in the presence of players, team officials and organisers, and fans.

The 30-man squad comprising four international players from the Solomon Islands, 18 Port Moresby-based players and eight players scouted from the province will be based in Port Moresby throughout the 14-week competition to help cut down on expenses.

During the launching Governor Benjamin said it was about time the standard of the sport in Manus was raised to the levels it enjoyed during the 1970s and 1980s when the name Sunam was a feared opposition. 

Despite several challenges, he was pleased that the team tasked to bid for Admiralty Peliau FC’s participation in the competition succeeded just in time to join in this year’s competition.

“Our government had a dream that one day we would lift soccer to a new level and show what soccer means to us, this is the reason why we put together a committee last year to work towards putting up a team from Manus,” Benjamin said.

Admiralty Peliau FC, to join a seven-team competition, will be backed and supported by the newly established MPG business arm Admiralty Peliau Limited, a sporting company which is 100% owned by the people of Manus.

Governor Benjamin confirmed that last year K1 million was allocated to Manus Sports through the Provincial Budget – K640,000 of which was earmarked to form the NSL team.

“This is the launching of our team, and players you now represent Manus, be disciplined and don’t let us down,” the Governor challenged the players.

Team players and officials who travelled into the province on Wednesday for the launching, returned to the nation’s capital yesterday, straight after taking part in the ceremony.