Mileng hopeful of venue improvements

By ROBINSON LEKA
Acting competition manager Dimirit Mileng says more can be done to upgrade the venues that host Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League (NSL) matches.
He told The National that some venues were managed by their respective authorities with the NSL hiring them for matches.
But Mileng said funding was the only setback.
“We would like to see some improvements,” he said.
“But the venues have their own management so we just hire and use them. We can’t compare the venues in PNG with those abroad.
“Clubs are based in Madang (Laiwaden Oval), Goroka (National Sporting Institute), Lae (Sir Ignatius Kilage) and Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea Football Stadium). This will be the only venues used for the rest of the season.
“Unless there is something that has happened to force us to relocate matches, we will continue to use those venues.
“For the clubs based in the Highlands, we want to show that the game is being played not just in the major centre such as Lae and Port Moresby.
“Hopefully, through time and effort, we can work together to make improvements to those venues so that matches are played on the best surfaces.
“The surfaces we have are suitable for our competition but we would like to see more improvements. Having said that, it all comes back to funding and the authorities in charge of each venue.”