Buang native excited about return to NSL

By ROBINSON LEKA

WITH more than a decade of experience in the game, Amon Meki is ready to make his National Soccer League (NSL) return following a year on the sidelines.
The 29-year-old, from Bulolo, Morobe, was among a handful of Port Moresby United players who sat out last season as they were without a team.
Despite his former employers missing out on yet another season, Meki is back in action this year for Gulf Komara and the Buang native says he is ready to make the best of it.
Meki is the last of five siblings to dad Meki Kes and mum Dianne. His dad is a self-employed contractor and his mum is a homemaker.
“After 30 years of working and living in Port Moresby, my parents have decided to return to our Lagis village in Buang,” he said.
Born and raised in Port Moresby, Meki’s football journey started at an early age while attending Philip Aravure Primary School in Gerehu.
The schools competition in Port Moresby gave him confidence in his game and as the years passed, so did his passion.
“I remember being introduced to soccer in Grade 4 and almost every year after that was the same,” Meki said.
“I’d never miss a game and would always make sure to play when and where I was needed.”
He left schools soccer in 2007 and joined Momase’s Under-19 team in the Port Moresby Soccer Association (PMSA) competition.
A consistent PMSA performer, the former Gerehu Secondary School student developed into formidable midfielder where he rose through the ranks to eventually play for Momase’s premier side.
Three years in the PMSA and Meki got the call-up into the NSL where he played with Gelle Hills in the 2010 season as a 19-year-old rookie.
Two years later, he earned selection into the Under-23 national team for the Oceania Football Confederation’s Olympic qualifiers. PNG finished fourth.
“It was my best experience and I will always be grateful for getting the chance to represent my country and be part of a team who had some of the best players in PNG,” Meki said.
“Being part of that group taught me a lot about the game and it helped my game when I came back.”
He spent the next two NSL seasons (2011-2012) with Eastern Stars before departing for Yamaros.
“I spent only one season with Yamaros (2013) and also played a season with Gigira Laitepo (2014),” Meki said.
“After that, I went back to play for Momase.
“Unfortunately, I joined Yamaros when it was their last season in the NSL, as was the case for Gigira.
“The years that followed saw a lot of issues with the competition and governing body – it was an uncertain time for players.
“Despite what was happening at that level, many of us were more concerned about playing the game.”
He developed his leadership traits while maintaining his fitness and competing in the PMSA.
“In 2019, PMSA fielded Port Moresby United in the NSL,” Meki said.
“It was a great initiative because there were a lot of talented players in the city competition.
“Unfortunately, we only lasted a season and it was a real let-down to be kept out of the game.”
The dawn of the 2021 NSL season saw Momase teammate Junior Sasu bring him in to train with Komara.
Meki said he was keen on adding another dimension to the attack of Komara who finished strongly at the end of last season to secure a fourth-place finish.
“Junior was the one who approached me,” he said.
“It was great to return to training at the semi-professional level.
“It’s a great feeling to be back in the game and I’ll be thrilled if we can go one better than last season.”