New franchise means business, meets criteria

By HENRY MORABANG
NEW kid on the block, POM City FC, was the only serious club for the 2013 Telikom National Soccer League season by meeting all the requirements set by the National Soccer League Board.
NSL development manager Chris Brown yesterday said POM City FC met all the requirements including the submission of its officials list, players registration and the registration fee, including supporting documents for their sponsor.
Brown said major sporting insurance company, Pacific MMI, was the corporate backer for the new team which include some high-profile names such as Andrew Lepani (operation manager), Reginald Davani (head coach) and Robert Lamond (manager).
Former Hekari fullback Trevor Ire takes up the position of assistant coach while Christine Wanma the team doctor for the new club.
POM City join Besta PNG United who also completed all the necessary documents for the NSL competition.
Brown said other teams, including defending champions Hekari United and Yamaros paid their nomination fee but have yet to fill necessary documents required for admission.
He said MMJV Bulolo, Gigira Morobe United, Tukoko University, Welgris Mt Hagen and Kimbe will be treated as first-comes, first-served and they have until the end of this week to meet the requirements.
“Kimbe is another intending franchise who has not paid any money or provided necessary documentations,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the Ox & Palm National Women’s Soccer League, the NSL Board has received expression of interest from Mungkas, Yamaros, University and Hekari.
Mungkas replace PNGIPA from last year while Bara, Poro and PNG Power were the only teams who showed interest for the Lae Conference.
Brown said all women franchise teams must submit the details of their club, nomination fees and also the affiliation fee for this year.
He reminded all clubs – both men and women – to furnish their contact details, especially an email account for easy communication with the clubs.
The semi-professional competition will start in mid-January and end in April to allow the champions to contest in the new-look O-League challenge.