Chung lays down case for re-election

THE country’s national soccer body – Papua New Guinea Football Association – has gone through a lot of improvement since 2004, according to president David Chung.
He said PNGFA’s achievements dated back from July, 2004 – as the PNGFA began taking steps to strengthen the code.
Chung said re-organising the PNGFA for accountability was important; putting in place an accounting system; getting 2014 account report done for FIFA; and installing an accounting system for yearly audited reports since 2005.
Chung, who is seeking re-election at the upcoming PNGFA Congress on August 7, said PNGFA was looking to improve its current facilities through; the rebuilding of the Lae Academy; and building an academy in Kimbe;  improving improve Lae’s football infrastucture with solar panel lighting, floodlights for playing fields, a new kitchen and gym facilities and renovation of the accommodation.
Chung said improving the game was the priority and supporting the semi-pro competition was the way to go.
He did this by setting up the National Soccer League with its mission to lift football through high level competition.
He said the PNGFA allowed franchises to develop the players as well as bolstering the quality by allowing foreign players.
Chung said member associations were important and so were their competitions.
The introduction of the Besta-sponsored FA Cup for member association through regional qualifications was the way the PNGFA got them involved.
The establishment of the Besta Under-20 youth programme with a team in the NSL was the PNGFA’s development intiative.
He said the continued development of soccer in PNG would be achieved by introducing elite developments programmes with Oceania Football Confederation; introducing coach/mentoring programmes with OFC and getting professional coaches to be in PNG to conduct courses and coach the national team.
He said PNG’s success at the recent Nation’s Cup and the Pacific Games before that was a testament to those programmes.
“We are now providing more education in terms of coaching and refereeing,” Chung said.
“We average about nine courses a year for coaching and referees courses.”