PNGFA returns Chung

DAVID Chung was returned as president of the Papua New Guinea Football Association for a third consecutive term yesterday.
The PNGFA congress in Kimbe, West New Britain, yesterday saw the 54-year-old muster enough votes to retain the role he first took up in 2004, making him the longest serving head of the sport in PNG.
The PNGFA website (pngfootball.com) announced Chung’s success thus: “The OFC (Oceania Football Confederation) president and FIFA vice-president David Chung has become the longest serving president in the history of Papua New Guinea Football Association after being re-elected for a historic fourth term in office today at the 14th PNGFA Congress.”
The post on the site did not give details of the vote but stated that Chung had been re-elected after winning by six votes. It said: “President Chung was re-elected after winning by 6 votes.”
John Wesley Gonjuan was named as senior vice-president despite the Port Moresby Soccer Association president having announced his intention to run for the presidency himself in the weeks leading up to yesterday’s congress. The website stated: “He will be joined at the helm by John Wesley Gonjuan as the senior vice-president, while Linda Wonuhali will act as junior vice-president. The other newly-elected members of PNGFA executive committee are Jack Payap, Simon Koima, Shem Farrock, Maha Waname and Diana Ulka.”
Meanwhile, a legal proceeding against Chung and the PNGFA for the provisional suspension of the Lae Football Association was dismissed by Justice David Hartshorn yesterday in Port Moresby.
Hartshorn found that there was a fundamental flaw in the proceeding brought by plaintiff LFA acting president Andrew Nirik as he did not appear to be authorised to commence the proceeding on behalf of the association.
Hartshorn ruled that consequently, there was no foundation for the argument that Section 17 of the Association Incorporation Act in relation to the amendment of the rules of the association had been breached the public officer had not notified the Registrar of Companies of such amendments or obtained the approval of the registrar in this regard.
He found that although there was a serious issue to be tried, the fundamental flaw in the proceedings could not be overcome and consequently the proceedings had to be dismissed with costs.