Lupari threatens to quit

ISAAC Lupari will quit as the chairman of the National Soccer League (NSL) if the Papua New Guinea Football Association leadership is not overhauled.
The country’s football governing body will hold its annual general meeting in August, where incumbent president David Chung is expected to seek another term in office.
Lupari, who is the State’s chief-secretary, is fed up of the same administrative nucleus running the game for a long time which he said was not improving it.
“The administration of soccer is serially monopolised; it is run by a select group of individuals,” Lupari said.
“Every aspect of the soccer administration is managed and controlled by few select people. These people do not want to accept changes and they do everything within their power to stop changes.”
Lupari’s announcement coincided with well-known identity John Kapi Natto, the president of Hekari Football Club, accepting his nomination to challenge Chung for the president’s post at the PNGFA Congress in Kimbe on Aug 7 (see story above).
Lupari said an immediate overhaul of the leadership of the association was needed if soccer development was to advance. He said he became involved in the game’s administration over last three years.
“I saw soccer had tremendous potential to advance but sadly this cannot be achieved because of the manner in which the sport is administered by the PNGFA,” Lupari said.
“I saw a similar trend in the administration of rugby league in the past.
“That almost killed rugby league in the country.
“I have come to love soccer because it is universal, family-based, skilful and beautiful to watch. It has huge potential in the country and it would be sad to see this go to waste.
“Since my appointment as chairman of NSL, we have tried our best to develop this semi-professional competition, but it has been difficult.
“It has been extremely difficult to deal with the leadership of PNGFA.
“NSL has to operate like business if it is to develop.
“That’s why when I was appointed chairman, I overhauled the board and brought in people with corporate background and public administration.
“It has been a frustrating three years for the board because every change we proposed got knocked around. I have decided that I will not continue as chairman if there is no change in the leadership.