Hekari promotes code

THE Hekari United Football Club spent the last day of 2018 at the Rigo Coast village of Kalo to engage with the local community.
Comprising 22-players, two Solomon Islands coaches with their local assistants and team manager Vonnie Natto, the football club had a friendly match with the village representative side Kempa FC and later conducted a coaching clinic that saw more than 100 children participate.
As an initiative of the Hekari Football Academy, several senior players including captain David Muta, Koriak Upaiga, Daniel Joe, Leslie Kalai, Kolu Kepo and Ishmael Pole with coaches Jerry Allen, Jerry Sam and Erickson Komeng took time off to speak to the youngsters aged between 6-8 years about positive living, discipline and commitment.
“I am who I am today because I had to make a lot of sacrifices early in life and listen to my parents, teachers and coaches to be the captain of the national team,” Muta said.
Hekari head coach Allan said the visit was worthwhile as it was at such an young age where football stars where born.
“I see so much potential in the rural areas of PNG as I’ve worked in this country for nearly a decade through Hekari and I’m prepared to help the children and the players reach their potential,” Allan said.
As for his brother Jerry Sam, who is the national coach for Solomons Futsal side, he said PNG could be a force in the future.
“I have traveled the world and PNG has a real potential to play in the world cup one day and the answer is in Futsal,” Sam said.
“Futsal helps builds the skill levels, your pace and stamina because it’s non-stop, and of couse, above all, discipline is the key.”
During the friendly, Hekari had a star-studded line up comprising regulars as they faced the 2018 NCDPSSA grand finalists Kempa.
The Kalo team opened the scoring early in the fifth minute through a penalty by captain Patrick Nota, who beat Ismael Pole to his left, however, Hekari took control of the match after that when Kalo recruit Freddy Kepo found the net midway through and another goal came soon after for Hekari to hold a 2-1 lead at halftime.
Early in the second half, good lead up work found Ati Kepo in the clear to rifle home to put the one-time Oceania champions in a comfortable lead 3-1.
But Kempa’s persistence in attack paid dividends with a brilliant strike from midfielder Pala Vakona to make it 3-2 at the final whistle.
The highlight of the visit by Hekari players was giving a treat to the village children with a game of soccer among the children themselves and later presenting football kits and sweets.
HUFC manager Vonnie Natto, who was joined during the trip by Koupa Soccer Association president Morea Vavine and Central United FC president Kamo Kini, encouraged the local league and the Kalo community to support the players in their bid in the NSL competition.