Two NSL clubs pay EOI fee

WITH three days before Friday’s deadline, only two from the 15 franchise clubs have paid their non-refundable fee of K10,000 and submitted their expression of interest (EOI) forms to the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA).
The two teams are National Capital District-based Port Moresby Strikers (formerly Southern Strikers) and Hekari United. The other teams that are yet to meet the affiliation and registration requirements are Kimbe, Lae City, Lae City Dwellers, Morobe Wawens, Morobe United, Tusbab Stallions, Kutubu, Star Mountain, Vitiaz, Komara, Bougainville, Oro United and Sepik.
So far the Competition Department have sent EOI forms to 15 interested franchise clubs but only two responded positively by paying up their dues.
Acting PNGFA competitions director Rossje Suwae said the Strikers and Hekari United had paid their fees and submitted their forms for the new National Soccer League season, which is expected to kick off on July 17. Suwae, who was appointed to the role recently, urged all the clubs to meet their registration and affiliation requirements.
Meanwhile, she said the deadline for EOI submissions had not been brought forward, but remained as initially scheduled on Friday.
Suwae said since the 2021 season was a 10-team competition, it was important for clubs to express interest at the earliest as late submissions after Friday would not be accepted, unless otherwise instructed by the NSL standing committee or PNGFA’s executive committee.
The annual affiliation fee remains at K80,000 and must be paid by July 12 before the season kicks off.