Coronavirus forces indefinite suspension of NSL

By PARKER TAMBUA
THE Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League (NSL) has been suspended indefinitely after the Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation (PNGSF) decided to close all of its facilities nationwide for 30 days as a preventative measures amid the coronavirus.
Competition coordinator Micah Kaneng told The National yesterday that the NSL board and Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) president John Kapi Natto had supported the move as the safety of their players and fans safety was paramount.
According to Kaneng, the competition will not hold any games in the next four weeks but will resume only if the situation improves.
He said the spread of the coronavirus was something bigger than football and that preventative measures should be everyone’s priority.
“Our decision is consistent with what the PNGSF has announced and we are supporting that,” Kaneng said.
“The decision is for the good of supporters, families, players, franchises and everyone involved in the game. We just cannot take that risk.
“It is a health and social concern and we are taking it seriously.
“That is why we have postponed our games.”
Kaneng said the delay would disrupt the NSL’s calendar.
However, he said clubs could play two rounds per week once the competition resumed.
He said clubs who had players in camp could release their players to spend time with their families during the suspension of the competition.
The competition has already completed eleven rounds with seven rounds and the finals yet to be played.
Meanwhile, Kaneng said Kutubu, who are based at the National Sports Institute in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, were likely to be affected as they were using a facility managed by PNGSF.