Season cancellation will be last resort, says PNGFA’s Suwae

By PATRICIA KEAMO
THE Papua New Guinea Football Association will not consider cancelling the National Soccer League season until all possible options are exhausted, according to competitions director Roosje Suwae.
The deferral of the competition since September in compliance with the nationwide Coronavirus (Covid-19) measures has impacted several clubs, some of which are considering withdrawing for the season.
“The association will not consider cancellation as yet until it has tried all possible options that are available for a re-commencement of this competition,” Suwae told The National yesterday.
“We also prefer to not have any club withdrawing (from the competition).
“But if the club still intends to withdraw then they will have to send an official letter to the association.
“They have to inform us of their intention to withdraw and provide the reason for doing so.
“All clubs have been given the competition regulation and they will have to refer to it in the case for withdrawal.”
When asked whether it was possible for the association to reimburse a portion of the club affiliation fee for those seeking to withdraw, Suwae referred to the competition regulations.
“The club (seeking to withdraw) will have to go back to the competition regulations to see what is stated there (regarding reimbursement of monies) as the association will go by the regulations,” she said.
So far, The National has confirmed that three clubs are considering withdrawing for the season.
Sepik have opted to withdraw if Covid-19 vaccination is a condition for the league’s resumption while Port Moresby Strikers are considering withdrawal due to financial constraints.
Morobe Wawens, on the other hand, are looking to withdraw after none of their players were selected for the national squad.