Futsal a hit in city village

 THE WANIGELA village 5-a-side futsal tournament held over the school holidays was a success, attracting over 200 school children and youths.

The week-long mini-soccer competition was organised by volunteers from PNGFA and the Port Moresby Soccer Association (PMSA) as part of futsal awareness to communities in NCD.

Last Sunday, the competition completed its pool games in the men’s and women’s open, boys and girls in the under-16 and U12 age groups.

Coordinator and PNGFA referee David Charles is spearheading the awareness, with the support of 10 other referees.  He is PNGFA’s Just Play development officer 

Charles said the finals of the competition would be played on Sunday. 

He said it was the first time futsal awareness had been carried out in communities in the city and Wanigela was chosen due to its close proximity to his home at Vanagi, and for the excellent basketball and volleyball facilities funded by Moresby-South MP and Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko.

Sports enthusiasts came out in droves to support their respective teams, which were divided into various sections within Wanigela. Charles was moved by the enthusiasm of the community in embracing the programme.

“I did not expect the kind of support they have shown. 

“It has been overwhelming,” Charles said.

Charles said a standard basketball court was all that was needed to run a futsal match. 

Acting councillor Goli Meiti was moved by the response from the village.

“The younger generation needs to be active in sports for their personal development,” Goli said.