PNGFA to choose 10 teams for 2021 NSL season

By PATRICIA KEAMO
PAPUA New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) general secretary Pius Letenge says the final 10 teams for the 2021 Men’s National Soccer League (NSL) will be made known by June 17. Following last Friday’s deadline for expressions of interest (EOIs), this gives PNGFA about two weeks to choose the 10 teams from 13 interested sides. Once the final 10 teams are announced, it would give the franchises about three weeks to pay their K80,000 affiliation fee before the season kicks off on July 17. “Our competitions department, under Roosje Suwae, is sorting out teams to make sure they meet all the requirements to qualify for the competition,” Letenge told The National on Wednesday. Suwae also confirmed the date, saying that they are thoroughly reviewing all the EOIs to ensure teams meet all the requirements in order to compete. Meanwhile, Letenge said the upcoming season would be the final year of Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited’s (KPHL) K3 million sponsorship. “PNGFA thanks them for their partnership in supporting the semi-professional competition and we are working closely with them to review (the sponsorship) and hopefully we secure an extension of their support,” he said. When asked why two junior franchises were included among the NSL EOIs instead of creating a youth league for them, Letenge said it was part of PNGFA’s vision to develop young footballers. “There will be a youth league but those youth teams who have been exposed to international challenges will be part of the PNGFA (Southern and Northern) team to take part in this year’s NSL competition,” he said. “A lot of youth teams have played in the semi-professional league and this will be their opportunity to be part of the PNGFA-sanctioned teams. “(The reason) why PNGFA called them youth teams is because they are not senior players or development teams. They are the youth team, just like any other franchise who are also competing in the elite competition to win.”