Kapuls kick off camp

By PATRICIA KEAMO
THE national men’s football squad kicked off a two-week training camp yesterday at the Papua New Guinea Football Association Academy at 11-Mile outside Lae in preparation for the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers in Qatar.
Port Moresby-based squad members arrived in Lae on Sunday and were briefed by assistant coach Bob Morris before kicking off their camp.
Letenge told The National yesterday that head coach Marcos Gusmao, who was expected to arrive in the country by the end of the week, had designed a training programme. “We are maximising the opportunity that the National Soccer League is yet to resume, so the players in the squad can use this time to train,” he said.
“They’ll be training under Bob Morris for the next two weeks, but it’s open to extension, depending on his views.
“It’s a bonus to have an experienced national coach leading the initial preparations while awaiting the arrival of the Brazilian head coach to take over the technical part.
“I’ve seen the training plan designed by the head coach and I’m impressed.
“Bob is not new to him, so I’m sure they’ll work together in building the team.”
Association technical director Paul Isorua said all training activities would be conducted with strict adherence to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) measures.
“Covid-19 protocols will be maintained on and off the field through split training sessions throughout the camp,” he said.
“The squad will have mini games, physical workouts in groups of 10, and planned outdoor and indoor sessions.
“Activities will be carried out as per the Covid-19 measures on gatherings of persons to be controlled from 20 and less.”
Meanwhile, Letenge said Gusmao was supposed to arrive in PNG last week, but due to travel restrictions and document approvals, he was expected later this week.
“We already met most of his travel requirement, including his work permit, from the Labour (and Industrial Relations) Department,” he said.
“We also secured an approval for his hotel quarantine and we are in the process of sorting out his visa.
“All we are waiting on right now is an approval for his travel request by the National Controller.”