PNGFA gives Kapi Natto the boot

Sports

ONE of three contenders for the PNG Football Association president’s post, John Kapi Natto, was suspended yesterday by the national body apparently for non-compliance to the Fifa electoral code.
The PNGFA headed by president David Chung, did not provide any reason for the action other than to  state in their letter to Kapi Natto that because his association (Hekari Soccer Association) had been suspended for not meeting PNGFA statutes and requirements such as having a competition, a venue, a constitution and a functioning executive – his candidacy for presidency of the national body was therefore ineligible.
An angry Kapi Natto fronted at The National, expressing his frustration and disappointment over the decision to suspend his Hekari Soccer Association.
He said what was more frustrating was that the PNGFA decision came only three weeks away from the Dec 28 PNGFA Congress in Kimbe, West New Britain.
Kapi Natto said he was shocked at receiving the news on the provisional suspension.
“I have yet to receive full details on the suspension despite numerous attempts to get a response from  the PNGFA secretariat,” the frustrated Hekari president said.
It was through his involvement as a sport administrator with the Correctional Services at that time that the Hekari association was set up in Kutubu, Southern Highlands to curb law and order issues.
He said his suspension would not take him away from his passion and he would continue to support the Hekari association and club in the National Soccer League.
He hoped common sense prevailed when the PNGFA made decisions to suspend rural soccer associations.
Kapi Natto’s suspension would now see incumbent Chung and John Wesley Gonjuan as the only two candidates for the post.
The National was informed that Bougainville and Koupa soccer associations were also suspended.
Both were vocal Kapi Natto supporters.
Kapi Natto also claimed the elections were deferred from August to December becuase Chung had no numbers to retain the post.
Attempts to contact PNGFA secretary-general Dimirit Mileng to ascertain why Hekari, Bougainville and Koupa were suspended were unsuccessful.
Chung was also not available for comment.