Raminai congratulates Kapi Natto on election

SPORTS Vice-Minister Wesley Raminai has congratulated the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) for a successful conclusion of its bi-annual congress at the weekend.
He also congratulated John Kapi Natto on his election as the new PNGFA president.
Raminai said the Government while respecting the autonomy of the PNGFA as is the case with other national federations, will always stress the importance of a unified administrative body in any sport played in Papua New Guinea.
“I congratulate all the leaders involved in soccer in PNG – John Wesley Conjuan, John Kapi Natto and others – for getting together to have that bi-annual congress on Saturday,” he said.
“Soccer is one of the leading sports in PNG and we would like to see everyone combine their resources, their experience, expertise and networking to make the most of the opportunities that present themselves.”
Raminai was speaking from Lae where he was officiating at the international match between PNG Kumuls and England Knights on Saturday.
“When strong and united administrative systems and structures are in place like rugby league has over recent years, sport grows in stature both on the domestic and on the international front,” Raminai said.
He said it was encouraging to note that rugby union which had gone through a difficult period due to differences in administrative views, was undergoing a processto get its national body in order.
Raminai said PNG was a small country compared with the global superpowers and “all our efforts and resources must be channelled through a united process, so we can maximise the limited resources we have”.
“The Government is willing to work with the new leader to grow the game so that football continues to move forward and climb to the next level,” he said.
“PNG needs to have a strong domestic competition and development programmes at all levels.
“With strong and effective programs in place, we can target qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
“Right now, we have to go through a tough qualification process for the next World Cup in 2022.”