Madang send SOS

By ISAAC LIRI
MADANG FC’s OFC Champions League campaign is in disarray as the club cannot raise at least K300,000 to help fund their trip to New Zealand.
The money required is to cater for accommodation and travelling allowances for the squad.
Tournament organiser the Oceania Football Confederation will only pay for the airfares of the teams to their Group C location in Auckland.
Madang FC board chairman and National Soccer League deputy chairman Dr Miok Komolong said the club needed to come up with the money for their February 25 around K300,000.
With only two weeks remaining before they leave for Auckland, the club management has organised a fundraiser to help support the cause.
Dr Komolong said the fundraiser was crucial in determining Madang’s participation and ensuring PNG had two teams in the OFC event.
Komolong called on the football fraternity and interested corporate houses in Port Moresby to support the club who would be carrying the national flag on the Oceania front.
“Madang FC have a good squad led by PNG captain Michael Foster and coached by Auckland-based and former PNG international Maurie Wasi,” Komolong said.
“They have the talent and ability to perform at the highest level with the right level of support.
“Whilst the team is based in Madang, the players have roots from Madang, East Sepik, Morobe, Manus, Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, Gulf, Northern, Milne Bay, Central and NCD. We appeal to all football fans to come out and support because the big picture is about representing PNG.
“The support is important so that Madang can represent PNG well and help retain two slots in the Oceania Champions League together with the Lae City Dwellers.
“Having two slots for two PNG teams in the OFC Champions League is vital for players and their pathways and opportunities.”
Madang FC, who depend on the support from their provincial government, have not received word of any form of financial assistance for their Champions League trip — they are scheduled to leave on Feb 15.
“We are waiting for their (Madang provincial government) response too but we are still going to go ahead with the fundraising,” Komolong said.
Meanwhile, Port Moresby-based franchise Southern Strikers have thrown its support behind the fundraising activity to support Madang with its network of Port Moresby School Soccer Association and Port Moresby Soccer Association.
The fundraising dinner is scheduled for Feb 10 at the Lamana Hotel in Port Moresby from 7pm to 10pm with a table going for K3000 and K300 per person.
More information for the fundraiser should contact team manager Garry Moka on 72319892 or Moses Tekwie on 76400700 or email [email protected].