OFC plans to deliver professional league in 2021

PAPUA New Guinea Football Association president John Kapi Natto has assured that the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) is working hard to deliver a professional league in the region by 2021.
OFC vice-president Kapi Natto said creating a professional league in the region had been the governing body’s vision after seeing Oceania players struggle to break into professional leagues around the world. “We are working to set a professional competition in Oceania,” Kapi Natto said.
“It is going to be like Australia’s A-League where we’ll have professional clubs across Oceania playing home and away round-robin matches.
“That’s the dream for the future of all young people in the Oceania and Fifa is supporting this vision.
“It is very difficult for our players to break into Australian, Asian and European leagues.
“We’ve got players like Tommy Semmy in New Zealand struggling to break into the A-League.
“We have to create our own league and then leagues from Australia, Asia and Europe can look at ours and pick the best.”
OFC is one of the six continental confederations around the world and it is made up of Pacific Island nations and New Zealand, excluding Australia.
Since its formation in 1966, OFC has had little influence in terms of international competition or as a source of players for high-profile leagues around the world.
Kapi Natto said OFC was looking to change that trend by introducing a professional league.
He said Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League clubs capable of competing in the league were urged to send an expression of interest to OFC for participation.