Soccer growth evident: Mileng

 By HENRY MORABANG
PAPUA New Guinea Football Association has progressively groomed players over the years as witnessed in the recent OFC Nations Cup final.
PNGFA general secretary Dimirit Mileng, pictured, told a media conference after the Oceania final that the country had seen the success in the competition particularly on the home ground.
He acknowledged sponsor, International Food Corporation, through their Besta brand, for supporting the PNGFA youth soccer programme since 2008..
He said many of the players who had been through the Besta programme were now playing for the national team.
“It must be noted that one time in their life, they came through the programme and PNGFA is very proud of this programme and the achievements.
“Though the Kapuls lost through penalty kicks 4-2, PNG should embrace this loss as a means to improve as the team prepare for the World Cup qualifiers,” he said. Mileng, echoing PNGFA president David Chung’s sentiments, said it did not take overnight to achieve results.
Mileng said PNG had proven their capacity to be on par with other island countries.
The PNGFA general secretary said his organisation had football development pathways including the Besta-sponsored youth programme and the centre of excellance elite programme.
Mileng thanked soccer fans and Port Moresby residents for turning up in numbers to support the team during the final between PNG and New Zealand on Saturday night.