Women’s NSL in line for funding

 By PISAI GUMAR

THE PNG Football Association (PNGFA) deputy chairman John Kapi Nato has pledged K50,000 to support the women’s National Soccer League (NSL) competition this year. 

Kapi Nato and women’s NSL interim chairman Simon Koima briefed the executives of the four participating Lae women’s team at Melanesian Hotel on Saturday.

“It’s a trial and error concept but we also need to test the potential of our women footballers,” Koima said.

“The women have played soccer for too long demonstrating abilities without recognition. 

“We have to provide the opportunity to further their horizons,” Kapi Nato added.

The women’s NSL trial concept is divided into two zones. 

Zone A will have Port Moresby teams, Inter University, Hekari, Murik, EPC, Lamana and Rapatona and Zone B, which is Lae will have Bara, PNG Power, Lae Central and Wau.

The competition is set to being on Feb 5 even though, according to Koima, the six NCD teams have yet to confirm their interest. 

He said the Lae teams are set and looking forward to the matches.

The women’s competition has yet to find a major competition sponsor and Kapi Nato urged interested business houses to assist the women as it is the inaugural national  competition.

“The sponsors will have the naming rights,” he said.

“There is also a need to create women’s club championships to sharpen the skills of the women to participate in the NSL.”

Koima added that there would not be many changes in game policies and regulations for women to follow  as it would be the same rules used in the men’s NSL.

The games will be played in two round robin matches within each zone and for the top team from each zone to playoff.

The women’s matches will be played before men’s NSL matches.