Association giving hope amid law, order woes

The Hela Soccer Association is helping keep communities involved in sports amid the ongoing law and order woes in the province.
Hela sports and recreational coordinator Ken Agobe said three weeks into the season, the William Wai Bando Cup was keeping communities fit and occupied.
“Although the fighting is going on, soccer is giving people in the province some hope for normalcy,” Agobe said.
“Over the weekend, I saw people who don’t care about the fighting.
“They want peace and that is why they are taking part in sports.
“Many people say sports has the power to bring peace and that is why from the provincial administration’s perspective, we are behind this initiative.
“Our association is new and we are affiliated under the Football Federation of Papua New Guinea.
“We have seen 12 male teams and four female teams competing at the Dauli Teachers College.
“We have teams from the Tari station and around the Dauli area in Komo-Margarima.
“Many teams have shown interest and according to the competition’s executive officer, Paul Galo, they plan to have the finals around September.”