Elite women’s football set to return in October, says Kapi Natto

ELITE women’s football is set to return in October when the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League ends, according to the sport’s national governing body.
Papua New Guinea Football Association president John Kapi Natto said in a statement yesterday that the revival of the women’s competition was aimed at promoting gender equality as one of Fifa’s pillars.
“We are keen to ensure gender balance is achieved and given priority after years of neglect,” he said.
“The national women’s team are the Pacific Games gold medallists and with a lot of young female players coming through, it is important to create a sustainable pathway to a higher competition as the pinnacle of women’s football.
“The return of the Women’s National Soccer League is also timely for our women to prepare for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup qualifiers.”
NSL acting manager Dimirit Mileng said he was looking forward to the return of elite women’s football.
“There has been great interest among women,” the acting manager said.
“These are exciting times for women’s football as Fifa has now embraced and prioritised women in having the same opportunity as men.”
The association has established a women’s football committee to help drive the concept and development officer Margaret Aka has been assigned to assist the group.
Mileng said the committee membership would be announced once the members meet.
The expression of interest opens on Wednesday and closes on Sept 25.
Interested clubs requesting for forms should email [email protected], [email protected] or http://[email protected].
“We are looking at starting with 12 teams, six each in Lae and Port Moresby,” Mileng said.
“But it will all depend on the number of teams expressing their interest.”
Mileng said the tentative date to launch the women’s league would be on Oct 5 with kick-off on Oct 24.