Nigel making a move in soccer

People

By Lorraine Jimal
NIGEL Malagian, 24, is grateful to soccer for enabling him to visit overseas countries while still young.
“If not for soccer, I would not have the chance to see Vanuatu, New Caledonia and New Zealand at the ages of 16 and 17.”
His father from Milne Bay is an electrician working for Hidden Valley. His mother is from Madang where Nigel was born on February 5, 1996. He was brought up and attended school there, including at the Lutheran Day Primary School.
Nigel is the second eldest of four brothers. His older brother is at the Mapex Institute in Port Moresby. The two younger ones are still in school.
Nigel left school after Grade 12 to concentrate on the game he loves and has so much interest in.
His father and uncles played soccer too so Nigel felt “at home” playing the sport.
He started playing soccer with friends while in primary school. He developed his skills as a defender and it caught the attention of school team coaches. He began representing his primary school in the inter-school competition in Madang.

“ If not for soccer, I would not have the chance to see Vanuatu, New Caledonia and New Zealand at the age of 16 and 17.”

He somehow managed to spend quality time both on the field and in the classroom when he attended the Tusbab Secondary School. He found time to complete his assignments and attend soccer training as well.
He was only 15 when picked to play for the Madang Football Club. He was youngest player in the Madang club competition.
Also in 2011, he represented Madang in the Under-17 competition held in Port Moresby. He was selected in the team to represent the nation in the Under-17 championship in Vanuatu. It was his first trip abroad.
During that trip to Vanuatu, he was awarded a scholarship to study in New Zealand for three years and play soccer at the same time. He was over the moon.
It was an amazing experience. He could not believe it was happening to him, a secondary school student from Madang studying and playing soccer in another country.
Of course it took him weeks to adapt to the cooler climate and living in a totally different environment and culture than what he had been used to. And the language barrier too.
But it was an experience he will never forget.
“New Zealand has a much high standard of education and sports compared to my country.”
But his travelling and love for soccer began to take their toll on his studies. And after returning home for a break, he did not return to complete his studies in New Zealand because of financial problems.
He therefore joined the Besta United team in the national soccer league, and later moved to the Madang FC in 2015 to play for the provincial team.
“To be a successful player, commitment and sacrifice are vital. Self-discipline both on the field and off is also important. It determines your success.”
Nigel is today playing for the Lae City Football Club. Well, at the moment he is recovering from an ailment he suffered last month which has confined him to a wheelchair.
“I will be missing out on my first (NSL) game. I’m very emotional because I should be there with my team. I cannot wait to get back on the field.”
But he knows there are many more goals to score. At 24, time is very much on his side.