Football given go ahead

AFTER six months of waiting, the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) has received approval to resume its football activities and competition at the member association level. But PNGFA general secretary Pius Letenge yesterday warned the football fraternity to comply with the ‘Niupela Pasin’ measures.“As member associations start their competitions, it must be noted that there are couple of important considerations the football fraternity must adhere to with regard to no spectators during competitions,” he said.“There shall be no spectators at any one time in our member associations except players, officials and the management who are allowed within the playing venue.“As we all know, football competitions have been affected by the nationwide Covid-19 isolation strategy. “Resuming football for the remaining months of this year will see short seasons being played.“However, PNGFA will notify all member associations if there are any changes.” Letenge said PNGFA’s technical and education division would roll out its activities. “PNGFA shall target all courses at the member association level in the interim,” he said. Letenge said National Control Centre or provincial health authority officers would be monitoring football activities to ensure compliance. He said if any member association failed to comply with the ‘Niupela Pasin’ measures, the national pandemic response controller would not hesitate to terminate their competition. “Any association wishing to stage a soccer tournament will need to seek approval from the PNGFA general secretariat as there are certain requirements that need to be met,” Letenge said.“The secretariat is optimistic to see our member associations resume smoothly.“We remind them to remain vigilant and compliant with the measures.”