Former national rep becomes Goroka soccer head

By ZACHERY PER

THE soccer fraternity in Goroka has for the first time elected a woman as president of the Goroka Football Association.

Former Papua New Guinea women’s soccer representative, Cathy Augunam was elected by club presidents and representatives of eight clubs at the Goroka Football Association (GFA).

She was voted in at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the National Sports Institute (NSI) last week.

Other executives are Martin Koplen (vice president), Paul Punau (secretary) and Margareth Sire (treasurer).

“As the newly elected president, I have faith in my new executives that we will work together to strengthen and improve our football competition in Goroka,” Augunam said.

“We have a vibrant local competition over the past years; the new-look executives will do their best to bring improvements into the competition.”

She said the executives under her charge would work hard to make things more competitive.

“The role of president comes with a lot of responsibilities but for the love of the sport and support of soccer friends we are ready to take on the challenge and make soccer in the province an avenue for young talents to be exposed. 

“At the end of the day, it is the players who made up the association and we are only volunteers to ensure their interests are served,” Augunam said.

She thanked all the executives for having trust and confidence in her.

Augunam called for support from all soccer players, officials and fans in the province to help the association’s executives develop soccer in Goroka and make it an enjoyable activity.