The Kumul Petroleum National Soccer League highlands conference will kick off at the National Sports Institute in Goroka on Sunday.
The highlands conference has six teams vying for the top two spots to qualify for the finals.
The six franchise clubs for the Highlands leg of the NSL are Aporomai FC from Hekari Soccer Association in Kutubu, Simbu Angra FC supported by Simbu Governor Michael Dua, Laima FC from Wabag backed by Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas and two teams from Mt Hagen – Blue Kumuls FC and Hagen FC – backed by Hagen MP William Duma. Kagua-Erave FC is supported by Vice-Minister for Sports and Kagua-Erave MP Wesley Raminai.
PNG Football Association President, John Kapi Natto, is overwhelmed with the support from members of parliament from the highlands region who have made the commitment to get behind these clubs to participate in the 2019 National Soccer League season.
Kapi Natto acknowledged the support of Minister for State Enterprises and Hagen MP Duma, Raminai, Dua and Sir Peter for the great support they have shown to back their teams in the NSL highlands conference.
“I am truly humbled and I am grateful for the support the leaders of each province and electorate is giving to their people to have a team in the NSL competition this year,” he said.
“Football at the National Soccer League level has never been played across the country. However under my leadership with the Management of PNGFA and the NSL Board, I want to ensure football reaches the grassroots level and played by everyone.
“This can only be achieved by leaders coming on board to support this vision and dream,” he said.
“We are certainly heading in the right direction to achieving bigger things in football for the country.
“This has never happened before and after 14 years we are introducing this exciting concept for football to be played by everyone right across the country.
“And I take my hat off to the local MPs in the highlands region to come on board to be partners in ensuring their respective province produces futures stars of football.”
Round One Fixtures: Sunday 10 Feb 2019 – National Sports Institute, Goroka
10:00am – Aporro Mai FC vs Enga Laima
12:30pm – Blue Kumuls FC vs Simbu Angra FC
3:00pm – Kagua Erave FC vs Mt Hagen FC
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