Popoitai warns players to remain committed, disciplined

Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League chairman Benny Popoitai has urged players in the semi-professional competition to be committed and disciplined.
Popoitai made these remarks while witnessing the New Guinea Islands Conference kick off last Sunday in Kimbe, West New Britain province.
He encouraged the players that if they wanted to become renowned footballers in the country, they had to grab the opportunity of football coming to their doorsteps and make their dreams come true.
“Football is a global game and we cannot just play it here once and then leave it. Young people now have the opportunity to rise up,” Popoitai said.
“The difference now is that a lot of our young talents have the opportunity to play the game and make a difference not only for themselves but for their families and for their country.
“Our youth have an opportunity to become someone when they are involved in football and be recognised by a lot of people around the world.
“But they have to make that commitment and be disciplined.
“So they have to do away with chewing betelnut and smoking.
“Throw those habits away and listen to their coach and management.”
Popoitai said they had an objective to see PNG become Oceania Football Confederation champions and one day compete at the Fifa World Cup therefore, expanding to all the four regions and giving the wider community an opportunity was a step in the right direction.
Popoitai also acknowledged Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited for enabling the Papua New Guinea Football Stadium and NSL to bring soccer to all the regions of the country with a K3 million sponsorship for two years.
“Bringing the competition to a wider community is challenging but the biggest that was challenge taken care for us was when sponsors Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited came on board,” he said.