West Sepik forms new soccer body, set to join PNGFA

WEST Sepik’s Vanimo Football Association (VFA) has set the pace for other member associations to follow in order to become an affiliate of the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA). Formerly known as Vanimo Urban Football Association, the creation of the new body signifies oneness as they prepare to return to the football family. After 17 years of struggles to get the attention of the football hierarchy, the football delegates representing all the districts in the province were glad to have the presence of PNGFA president John Kapi Natto. The visit to Vanimo is part of PNGFA’s drive to bring football associations back into the football family.  East Sepik was the first association undertaken by Kapi Natto and PNGFA member associations director Stanley Khanna. Khanna said VFA did not want to play politics and went out of their way and organised all the districts in the province to come under one umbrella and form an association so that they could be recognised by PNGFA. “This initiative truly paved the way and made it easy for PNGFA to work with them,” he said. “Everyone is excited to work together and bring Vanimo back into football family so they can take part in PNGFA-sanctioned tournaments like the national club championships.” The provincial government has thrown their support behind football. They have appointed an interim committee to lead the group who will work with PNGFA towards gaining their provincial status before becoming a full member of the sport’s national governing body. The members of the interim committee are Willie Labong (president), Jacinta Dengan (vice-president), Trevor Anio (secretary) and Clement Lepo (treasurer).