Soccer suspends NCD association

 By HENRY MORABANG

THE national soccer body has suspended the NCD Football Association for not complying with requirements for a change of name.

The NCD Football Association, formerly the NCD Public Servants Soccer Association, was taken to its knee by former executives but got a new lease of life when Vonnie Kapi Natto was voted into power.

NCDFA president Vonnie Kapi Natto was shocked with the letter from the Papua New Guinea Football Association chief executive officer, Dimirit Mileng.

The NCDFA submitted to the PNGFA for a change of name, but the national body could not ascertain the legality of changing the name of an established association. 

The process could not be established, creating uncertainty.

Mileng said while documentation on change of name had passed on to the legal entity of PNGFA and the Oceania Football Confederation, the PNGFA could not from the date of the correspondence (August 30) accept NCDFA’s participation in any PNGFA-sanctioned activities. 

NCDFA patron John Kapi Natto said he was surprised with the latest letter that was sent from the national secretariat telling the association to not attend in any PNGFA-sanctioned tournaments and ruling them out of voting in any PNGFA-sanctioned congress. 

“I am very disappointed with the way the PNGFA is coming down  to pass this kind of judgement when Mileng has seen it as the fastest growing disciplined and well managed association,” he said. 

Kapi Natto said it was only an administrative matter that the PNGFA secretariat or its PNGFA Southern Zone delegates should sort out amicably with the NCDFA instead of going to the extent of suspending the association for taking part in its tournament.

He termed the suspension as premature, saying it was denying the rights of the youths in NCDFA to further their career in football. 

“What will hold the youths in the competition when there is nothing to play for,” he asked.

“PNGFA must provide a better and friendly environment for the young people weekend by weekend coming in to play and showcase their talents so that they can go and play and get selected and represent their country some day.”