Jab mandatory for NSL

By PATRICIA KEAMO
MANDATORY Coronavirus vaccination will be a requirement for clubs expressing interest to compete from next season in the National Soccer League, according to an official.
Papua New Guinea Football Association general secretary Pius Letenge told The National last Wednesday that the decision was made after a meeting with club managers last month.
He said the approach would help ensure an uninterrupted competition amid the pandemic.
“For next season, the association will only be accepting clubs that are fully vaccinated, including players and officials,” Letenge said.
“This means that clubs interested to participate will have to ensure the players they recruit are fully vaccinated.
“We had to cancel the remainder of this season because the directive given by the National Control Centre was to resume competition only if everyone was vaccinated.
“To avoid players (or clubs) refusing to get jabbed, we are now taking this proactive approach.”
Letenge said the association had also advised its member associations across the country to advocate on the importance of vaccination.
“Member associations are not required to vaccinate its teams or officials, but we encourage them to be advocates,” he said.
“Mandatory vaccination is only for the men’s and women’s national leagues.”
Meanwhile, Letenge confirmed that there would no prize money for men’s league conference winners Lae City and Hekari United.
He said the subject of prize money was not discussed during the meeting, but only partial reimbursement of club affiliation fees.
“The association’s finance management team will look into the expenses and if there’s any outstanding balance then clubs will be reimbursed,” Letenge said.
“But we’ll ask the clubs if they want to keep the balance for next season.”