Kick off for the 2017 National Soccer League (NSL) season has been moved to April 29.
The decision was made after a meeting with the PNG Football Association Emergency Committee and the NSL interim committee.
The Emergency Committee had decided to defer the kick off date from 18 February to 29 April due to two reasons:
1) Participation of Lae City Dwellers and Madang FC in the OFC Champions League.
2) Participation of the PNG senior men’s national team in the FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The PNGFA Emergency Committee stated that Lae City Dwellers and Madang FC have confirmed their participation in the NSL this season.
The committee has also pushed forward for the deferral to allow the two teams to focus on their campaign for the OFC Champions League.
PNG senior men’s coach, Flemming Serritslev had also asked the committee to defer the kick off date to allow for the men’s national team to prepare for their home and away qualifier match against Tahiti.
NSL competition manager, Simon Koima said eight franchises have confirmed their participation in the country’s biggest football competition.
The eight franchises confirmed are; 2016 NSL champions Lae City Dwellers FC, Madang FC, Huawei PS United FC, Besta PNG United FC, Yamaros FC, Eastern Stars FC, Buang FC and Admiralty FC.
Koima thanked the eight franchises and said that this year’s competition will be bigger and better.