Unamba to unfurl EHP flag with pride

By HENRY MORABANG
SCORING a goal on foreign soil is something special for PNG Under-20 women’s soccer hopeful Selina Unamba.
“I had to beat the strong US college team backline to score the goal; a goal which I will remember for long time,” Unamba said.
The 16-year-old will carry the hopes of Eastern Highlands at the upcoming Federation of the International Football Associations U20 Women’s World Cup.
The Eastern Highlander vowed to give her best for PNG on the pitch come Nov 13.
Growing up in Huon Gulf in Morobe where her parents are residing, Unamba started playing football in 2010 and was surprised to make the training squad for the PNG U20 training squad. “I was surprised to get the call from PNGFA office that I was needed for the U20 training camp in
Goroka.”
She said she made a lot of personal sacrifices to leave the comfort of being with the family to be an independent person.
Unamba said that with the help of coach Lisa Cole and her assistant Rachel Wadunah, she worked hard to balance her time between school and football training.
“I had to balance my time between fulltime football training and studies at Goroka Grammar,” she said.
Unamba is doing Grade 10 at Goroka Grammar School while residing at the National Sports Institute, where her team is in training.
“My training camp with the U20s has given me something new in life, such as self-confidence, determination and the drive to produce the best in my school work and also my football training,” she said.
It has been a long journey to the World Cup and her patience and the commitment have pushed Unamba to give her best for her country.
She said after the World Cup, she would go back to her village and liaise with her local community leaders to start football for women.
“I want to teach young ones how to play football and tell them about the opportunities available through football,” Unamba said.