B’ville keen to host islands leg

By ISAAC LIRI
THE Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) Soccer Association is putting its hand up to host the New Guinea Islands Besta FA Cup qualifiers in Arawa next year.
AROB Soccer Association president Danny Muta made the call after the NGI leg of the Besta Cup ended on Sunday.
Muta urged all Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) affiliations in the region to travel to Arawa next year.
“If we have been faithfully travelling to participate in Kimbe for the past three years, there is no reason why we can’t be the hosts,” Muta said.
Kimbe Soccer Association and NGI Soccer Federation president Maha Waname confirmed with The National yesterday that Bougainville would be the hosts.
“I announced last Sunday that the Besta FA Cup qualifiers would go to Arawa next year, but then it will depend on the referendum in Bougainville in June next year,” Waname said.
“If the situation in Bougainville does not allow us to host it there, we will come back to Kimbe.
“If other provinces are members of PNGFA, they can host the next Besta FA Cup qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Bougainville’s participation in the recent tournament in Kimbe was applauded by their team officials, including Waname.
In the men’s division, Bougainville Team One were impressive throughout the qualifiers despite going down to Kimbe 1-0 in the grand final.
Kimbe will now join Mamose leg winners Almami, runners-up Morobe Football Association, Southern leg winners Hoods runners-up Kamali for the Besta FA Cup in Lae in September.