Madang association praises NSL

By ISAAC LIRI
HAVING two Madang teams compete in the National Soccer League (NSL) is fitting for the football-mad province, says Madang Soccer Association (MSA) general secretary Conrad Wadunah.
Madang will be fielding newcomers Laiwaden FC and Tusbab Stallions FC and both sides are expected to face off at the Laiwaden Oval on Saturday.
Wadunah said having two Madang teams in NSL’s northern conference was appropriate, considering the large number of players and followers who live in the province.
He said the pulling out of Madang FC due to lack of support from the Madang government was a huge setback last week when the announcement was made by MSA president Siegfried Beschel.
Despite the hiccup, football fans and followers in Madang are keen on seeing Laiwaden FC and Tusbab Stallions carry their provincial flag in the semi-professional competition.
“As a football administrator in the province and the president of the Tusbab Stallions, I think the NSL board deserves to be acknowledged by the people of Madang for extending the deadline which opened the door for Laiwaden FC to enter the competition,” Wadunah said.
“Having two teams from Madang gives more opportunities to our players and spectators which is good news.
Meanwhile Wadunah says the Stallions are made up of development players and a few senior footballers.
He said the appointment of Rachel Wadunah as coach Juanita Kalip as team manageress showed that the Stallions were out to promote gender equality.
Rachel will become the second female NSL coach, after Southern Strikers’ Margaret Aka.