Letenge calls for Highlands to revive game

By JILL MIRR
SOCCER needs to be revived in the Highlands to prompt more people to pursue the sport as a career, according to Papua New Guinea Football Association general secretary Pius Letenge.
Letenge said that while watching last weekend’s Women’s National Soccer League Highlands Conference matches at the Kimininga Police Barracks Oval.
He said unlike today, soccer had a big presence in the Highlands about 15 years ago.
“Even though we were interested in football, we had no support in terms of facilities and so on,” Letenge said.
“This may have contributed to a decline in the popularity of football.”
Letenge said the location was one of the important issues that they had discussed before bringing matches to the Highlands.
“We thought this was a central and convenient location for teams from around the region,” he said.
Letenge commended the teams – Mommers, Mt Hagen, Goroka, Simbu Ambai, Kuri and Southern Highlands – for their performances as the association continued to revive the sport in the region.
“They have 10 more games to play before the finals,” he said.
“We do not expect much from them.
“Maybe after two or three years, yes.
“But not now.
“With enthusiasm and passion, players have improved rapidly in the first five games.
“Round one, you could see the score and how they played, it was very slow and we expected that.
“But they have now improved.
“They’re playing with momentum, speed and communication, which are things you need in a player.
“But one thing that makes them unique is their aggression compared with the teams in other regions.”
Conference-leading Mommers captain Dorish Lati shared the same sentiment, stating that she was proud to see raw talents stepping up and playing smart despite a rough start.