Kapi Natto retains seat as PNGFA president

JOHN Kapi Natto has retained the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) presidency after running unopposed at the governing body’s elective annual general meeting in Port Moresby on Saturday.
New vice-presidents Francis Ank (Highlands), Justin Helele (New Guinea Islands), Morea Vavine (Southern) and Roy Kamen (Mamose) were also elected as vice-presidents.
Other members joining the executives are Jean Gariki (women’s representative), Jackson Varcilli (Mamose), Jack Changau (NGI), Joshua Kayengkim (Southern) and Diana Uran (Highlands).
Kapi Natto thanked all the members for having faith in him to take football forward in the country.
Over the last 21 months in office, he said his primary task was to ensure that PNGFA was once again stable and that good governance was restored in finance, administration, competition and infrastructure.
“I am proud to say that 95 per cent of these areas of governance has been restored and PNGFA is ready to move forward,” Kapi Natto said.
“One of the indication to PNGFA is that Fifa has already assisted us with US$93,000 (K320,600) for a major fencing project along the PNG Football Stadium.
“This is sign of progress.”
He said the PNGFA statutes had been amended for the development of football in the country.
Kapi Natto said the move had brought about one of the most important changes in the composition of the executive committee.
The new vice-presidents will be assist him in promoting football in their regions.
“Our vision now is to be the leading football nation in the region and inspire to excel on the world stage,” Kapi Natto said.
“It is about being inclusive and taking football to all corners of the country and developing it at the grassroots level so that there is a pathway for people to excel.
“Our mission is to effectively manage and grow football with integrity and commitment at all levels of the community.”
Kapi Natto said he was confident that the vice-presidents would help promote good governance, grow the game, create pathways, generate income and improve infrastructure in the community.