Setback for PMSA

THE Waigani District Court on Monday ruled against Port Moresby Soccer Association president, Fabian Chow, in his legal proceedings against a PMSA faction comprising club executives headed by John Wesley Gonjuan.
Presiding magistrate Noreen Kana dismissed the case against Gonjuan and others and recognised the extra-ordinary general meeting held on Sept 12 last year as valid while ruling that the defendant’s legal costs be met by the PMSA executive.
Since the split in ranks of the association last year, which saw several influential clubs band together against Chow and his board, soccer at the premier level of the nation’s capital came to a standstill while Chow took on the PNG Football Association (PNGFA) claiming his right as the duly elected president of PNG soccer.
As a result, the PNGFA led by David Chung and deputy John Kapi-Natto, suspended PMSA and barred its players from playing at the representative level.
Gonjuan said yesterday that he was satisfied with the ruling and was looking forward to getting Port Moresby soccer in the “right” direction after the political wrangling which had adversely affected the competition.
“Now that the court has made its decision, we (PMSA) need to get on with the work of bringing soccer back to Bisini.
“Our first order of business will be to obtain all records, financial and administrative, from the current PMSA executive along with the keys to the premises (offices and field) so we can get the season started soon,” Gonjuan said.
“Soccer needs to be revived.”
 However, PMSA, through a spokesman who did not wish to be named, said yesterday the ruling would be appealed and that several questions would be raised regarding the court decision which he termed as a “default judgment.”
“The decision was handed down because one side was not present, which makes it a decision by default really,” he said.
“We will appeal it.”
The spokesman said the majority of PMSA members were in fact supportive of the current executive and that it would continue to act in its capacity despite the ruling.
Meanwhile, it is understood that Chow announced in December that he would step down as PMSA president but could not be confirmed yesterday.