Highlands teams set for stage 2

Kagua Erave and Blue Kumuls are the first two teams to qualify for stage two of the Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League (NSL) after the completion the Highlands Conference regular season on Saturday.
Papua New Guinea Football Association president John Kapi Natto and NSL chairman Benny Popoitai applauded all participating teams along with their franchise owners and all those who worked behind the scene to make the game successful in the region.
Both officials were addressed the crowd during the presentation of the trophies to the two winners in Goroka.
Kapi Natto said he was truly humbled and grateful for the support the leaders of each province had given to their people to have a team in the semi-professional competition this year.
“I give the thumbs up to all Highlands franchises for being the pioneer NSL teams from the region,” he said.
“Football at the NSL level has never been played across the country before and I am proud to say that we have proved everyone wrong to achieve that dream to ensure football reaches everyone.”
Kapi Natto also thanked Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited for supporting that dream and vision.
Popoitai told the players that “you are the role models and the leaders of tomorrow”.
The region had certainly brought out a lot of raw talent and there were so much skills and talent on show since the competition kicked off, Popoitai said.
Conference match commissioner Francis Ank praised the clubs for completing the regular season uninterrupted.
Ank said the turnout by players, officials and supporters showed that the sport had a future in the rugby league-mad region.
Kagua Erave and Blue Kumuls now await the two winners of the Northern Conference.