Youngster Iga gets exposure

By ISAAC LIRI
THE recent Papua New Guinea Football Association’s Southern Region Under-17 Youth Football Festival has unearthed some promising talents.
The future is bright for 17-year old Kei Vali Iga, who scored 10 goals for his Karawa team during the tournament (July 3-8).
Iga is a typical village boy who does not speak any English or Tok Pisin and only his mother tongue (Hula language).
With the way he was performing in then field last week, he might need someone to start teaching him the main languages of communication in PNG.
His performance during the tournament no doubt impressed PNG Football Association selectors Margaret Aka and Anthony Pakakota and even the acting vice-president John Wesley Gonjuan and chairman of the local organising committee Joseph Ealedona.
Ealedona confirmed that there were several youngsters who had been identified and would be drafted into the PNGFA programmes including the Besta PNGFA Academy in Lae.
“Kei Vali Iga is one of those players that stood out during the tournament and he will most probably get a call to join the PNGFA Academy in Lae,” Ealedona said.
“He’s a village talent and just imagine if he gets some additional training, he could become a valuable asset for us.
According to his coach Kalo Amona, Iga has been playing soccer in the Hood Lagoon area for the past four years and because he loves football, Iga saw the opportunity of take part in the tournament mainly for exposure.
“If I am selected than I will make use of every chance I get to keep on playing soccer and reach the top,” he said in Hula language.