Raminai calls for unity

SPORTS vice-minister Wesley Raminai has called on the heads of soccer in Papua New Guinea to put the interest of the game ahead of their own and find a solution to end the current split in the game.
Raminai, a former soccer player himself during his playing days and a staunch follower of the game, said he had done his best to bring both factions — the one led by PNG Football Association acting president John Wesley Gonjuan and the breakaway Football Federation of PNG headed by John Kapi Natto — together and unite for the best interests of the game domestically.
However, despite continuous attempts with both parties, the efforts have not produced an amicable solution, prompting even the matter to be brought to the attention of Parliament.
NCD Governor Powes Pakop raised the issue in Parliament with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill calling for unity in sports.
Raminai stressed the Government’s stance and explained that while sports organisations were entitled to their autonomy as enthrined in their respective constitutions or statutes, which is in line with their international federations, any situation that compromised or threatened the unity of its people must be condemned.
“As a Government we respect the sports’ autonomy but we must also be mindful that we also have our own national constitution that we need to abide by and unity is something that is paramount in our national constitution,” Ramina said.
“Therefore if there are circumstances where sports seem to be dividing our people’s unity, we have to be concerned and step in to help find solutions.
“Let us not forget that without Government involvement, sports cannot conduct their affairs on their own in any sovereign country.”
Raminai cited some examples of that.
“For instance when it comes to a national federation wanting to host an international event in the country. But unless the government underwrites or gives its blessings the international federations of a particular sport may have reservations about granting the NF hosting rights.
“In reality there is really no complete independence from Government involvement.
“Look at the 2015 Pacific Games and the Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup as examples. The government had to give its blessings before the events could be brought to our country.”
Raminai said the same happens everywhere and he drew attention to the recent Commonwealth Sports Ministers meeting in Gold Coast in April and the Pacific Sports Ministers meeting in Fiji prior to that in March, which he attended on behalf of PM O’Neill as the Minister for Sports.
“This matter created some very lively discussions and eventually was captured in the communique that emanated from those meetings,” Raminai said.
“Some countries manage it better but other Governments have major issues with the national federations or offices that represent international federations that operate in their countries.”
Raminai said with regards to soccer in PNG, both PNGFA and FFPNG may say that they cannot be influenced by the Government and can do “their own thing”.
“The sport involves a wide range of people from around the country and it is of national interest. Sports administrators preach it all the time — that they must always consider the interest of their players ahead of their own. They seem to contradicting themselves with the way both groups of administrators have been handling this issue.
“All the players and other stakeholders of the game want is unity as we are too small a country to have fragmented little groups here and there.
“PNGFA has been making reference to the Fifa statutes for the suspended associations to be compliant, which is understandable but as the national federation how much effort have they made to assist these smaller associations, most of which need relevant guidance, to address these deficiencies.
“A potential sponsor, Lae Biscuits came out in the media saying that the company was willing to sponsor PNGFA’s premier competition, the National Soccer League, if the sport was united. That should have been a very strong message that any opportunities for corporate support to the game was being affected by the current status of the game.”
“We urge the respective heads of the soccer organisations to make serious attempts to address the ongoing issue and find a solution for the good of all the stakeholders they represent.”