Besta Cup to open doors for raw talents

By GABRIEL LAHOC
PAPUA New Guinea’s biggest soccer competition, the Besta FA Cup launched last Friday, will be used to open up doors for untapped talents at the grassroots level in the four regions of the country.
The Besta FA Cup was unveiled by PNG Football Association acting president John Kapi Natto and International Food Corporation (IFC) chief executive officer Rosedean Zaily Dzulkfli.
The IFC through its tinned fish brand Mackerel has chipped in K100,000 to sponsor the event.
Also present to witness the occasion were Lae Football Association president Toki Mambare, Lahi Soccer Association president Bernard Tzilu and Sir Nagora Bogan.
The tournament will be used as a stepping stone for players to push for spots in the semi-professional competition, the National Soccer League.
The concept was developed five years ago, after it was evident that there were a lot of talented players with potential missing out from developing further into another level of competition.
Kapi Natto said IFC had been a great supporter of soccer especially through its NSL franchise, the Besta PNG United.
“This is one step further in its endeavour to promote soccer in the regional challenge. It is also a wonderful and brilliant concept,” he said.
“From the Besta FA Cup, players can be identified and developed to participate in more senior competitions,” Dzulkfli who wanted to see the company’s sponsorship as a long term assistance, said.
LFA and Lahi, will co-host the Momase regional leg of the tournament which will feature 20 clubs from June 24-26.
The top clubs from both the women’s and men’s division will earn the right to represent the region at the regional playoffs, which will feature four men’s team and four women’s teams, with the finals in Port Moresby.