League gains momentum

By PATRICIA KEAMO
THE Women’s National Soccer League (WNSL) has gained momentum as Papua New Guinea continues its preparations towards pushing for 2023 World Cup qualification, according to an official.
PNG Football Association (PNGFA) general secretary Pius Letenge told The National that the last three rounds in the Southern Conference and four in the Northern Conference had unearthed new talents.
He commended the league’s working committee and stakeholders for contributing to the revival of the country’s premier football competition for women.
“Reviving the league amid the Covid-19 restrictions is a huge bonus for PNGFA,” Letenge said.
The 14 teams across the two conferences have already showed enthusiasm in battling for silverware.
In the Northern Conference, Lae-based Poro were unstoppable in the first four rounds, winning all their matches with ease.
Genesis, who are yet to drop points, have set the pace in the Southern Conference after three rounds at PNG Football Stadium.
“Both conferences have unveiled new stars and their performances will be closely monitored,” Letenge said.
“If the opening rounds have unearthed many talents, the remainder of the season will bring out more stars.
The road to reviving the women’s league was a tough one and a long time coming for the country’s football governing body.
While much of the attention has been given to the men’s competition in the past, the national women’s football team have performed exceptionally well at the international level.
The women’s national team have been crowned as champions of the region for five-straight Pacific Games and are second-best to New Zealand in the Oceania Football Confederation.
The 2020-2021 season paves the way for PNG to push for World Cup qualification. “We have been invited to compete in the Fifa Women’s International Trophy in the friendlies window early this year,” Letenge said.
“This is a great opportunity for PNG to compete in the lead-up matches where three games will be played in the tournament.
“But this is something the PNGFA secretariat must weigh up before making a submission.”
Meanwhile, the Northern and Southern conferences will resume on Saturday and Jan 16 respectively.
“We want to maintain focus on the Women’s NSL and set a benchmark,” Letenge said.
“If we set a great benchmark this season, we will surely want to beat it next season.”