NSL eager to improve venues, says Popoitai

Sports

By ISAAC LIRI
LIFTING the standard of facilities that will be used for the National Soccer League remains an ongoing task, says board chairman Benny Popoitai.
Popoitai had said during board meetings last year and this year that an important agenda on the table was the condition of venues.
“It is important that the pitches are up to Fifa and that is why the Southern Conference will be having all its games at the PNG Football Stadium,” Popoitai said.
“In our discussions in 2018 and this year, we had talked about the upgrading of football facilities around the country, especially those outside of Port Moresby.
“Before we encourage boys and girls to play soccer, we must make the facilities available to our people and I urge the Government under the Sports Ministry to back us on this.
“The soccer facilities must have change rooms for men and women.
“Soccer has turned a new page, so we must improve our venues.”
Popoitai also urged the football fraternity to comply with all Fifa regulations in terms of game rules, corporate governance and administration.
“The way we manage our competition will see results such as good support from Fifa and a united fraternity working together.
“In terms of paying competition officials, everyone must have bank accounts.
“So it is easier to manage and audit for the sake of transparency and accountability.
“The NSL is a premier competition in this country and we need to produce players of quality and our long-term objective is to be the country that represents Oceania in future Fifa World Cups. Popoitai also acknowledged the election of PNG Football Association President John Kapi Natto last year as a step in the right direction.
“He (Kapi Natto) is able to connect well with companies of today and connect well with the PNG Sports Foundation,” Popoitai said.
“Over the two years as chairman, of the National Soccer League we have found it difficult to build the bridge for the interest of football.
“Kapi Natto is a leader who has faith in this football dream.
“We must also have faith for this dream to come true.”