Vaccine not mandatory, Suwae says

By PATRICIA KEAMO
THE Papua New Guinea Football Association does not intend to enforce a “no jab, no play” policy on any of its competitions, including the National Soccer League (NSL), says competitions director Roosje Suwae.
Her comments came after league rookies Sepik made their intentions that they would withdraw from the competition if vaccination was a condition to resume the season.
Suwae told The National yesterday that vaccination remained voluntary.
She said all the association had been doing was encouraging players and officials to consider getting vaccinated.
“The association, through the competitions department, confirms that vaccination is not compulsory,” Suwae said.
“We will not force players and officials to get vaccinated, we can only encourage voluntary vaccination.
“The association does not intend nor can it enforce a ‘no jab, no play’ policy on any of its competitions, including the league.
“We respect the rights of every individual and the association will never make decisions that will be a hindrance to or will infringe on the rights of an individual.”
Suwae said the association was complying with National Control Centre directives by putting the league on hold while awaiting further instructions and approval to resume the season.
“We will liaise with all clubs regarding any decision made by the Office of the National Pandemic Response Controller for the league’s resumption prior to bringing the matter up with our executive committee,” she said.
“Vaccination is not compulsory so I do not think the centre will consider a ‘no jab, no play’ approach as an option for the league.”
Meanwhile, Suwae said so far, Gulf Komara was the club that was fully vaccinated.
“We have sent emails to the other 13 clubs requesting for their vaccination statistics, but they are yet to provide that information to us,” she said.