Officer sees success in soccer association

By ISAAC LIRI
A sports administrator from Sivitatana in Rigo, Central, says the local soccer association has had some success, contrary to comments by an official.
Jerry Keto, who is recognised by the PNG Sports Foundation as a certified administration, coach and technical official, said comments by Sivitatana Soccer Association general secretary Koi Vaiuma, about the history of the game in the area that were published in The National on March 7 were partly incorrect.
Vaiuma had stated that players from the area were never exposed to outside competitions. He made this remarks during a recent visit from Football Federation PNG headed by MRDC Hekari United FC team manager Vonnie Kapi Natto.
“The article about Sivitatana Soccer Association stating that it has never produced any players in the past to play to another level or outside of the area is incorrect,” Keto said.
“In fact there are many good stories and facts about SSA in the past that need to be highlighted.
“SSA has produced a couple of male football players to represent Team Central in the 4thPNG Games in 2009 in NCD. “The SSA dominated the soccer squad to the 5th PNG Games in Kokopo ENB in 2012.
“In 2014 SSA again produced a couple of players representing team Central in the PNG Games in Lae.
“All these were selected on merit by the Rigo District sports steering committee during the fifth district championships and then by the Team Central sports steering committee to represent Team Central in the previous PNG Games.
“From the facts stated above, I believe that SSA is a role model in village in soccer in Rigo and it would grow with the help of FFPNG.”