ENB gives green light to FFPNG

By HENRY MORABANG
THE East New Britain provincial sport governing body has given thumps up to Football Federation PNG’s vision to spread football to the rural population.
The ENB Sports Development Authority headed by former Prime Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu in its last board meeting at Kalabond Oval endorsed FFPNG’s vision.
Sir Rabbie said despite the two factions of football in the country, he wanted to see mass participation from young men and women.
“We must change the perception as there are a lot of football talents around as was shown during the recent PNG Games where Team ENB won gold medal in men’s soccer.
“We must do something to expose the hidden talents. Soccer is one of the favourite sports played in the province apart from baseball and softball before the advent of rugby league,” Sir Rabbie said.
Executive officer Alois ToBata also endorsed Sir Rabbie’s statement, saying his office was there to facilitate sports development and soccer was no exception.
“We want to be seen as facilitator and not to be involved with politics of the game,” he said.
Both Sir Rabbie and ToBata supported FFPNG presentation by president John Kapi Natto.
Kapi Natto was in Kokopo at the invitation of ENB Sports Development Authority to do a FFPNG presentation to the board and announce the federation’s intention to launch the NPL conference in March.
Part of the promotion of NGI NPL conference will include an exhibition match by Hekari FC and a Kokopo select side.
ToBata said the province has a sport board that would oversee 24 sports including soccer.
The board will supervise technical training for all sports affiliated to the authority.