A close friend, colleague and longtime supporter of Chung, the pair shared a combined vision for the development of football in their country.
“It is with great sadness that I learned of Joe’s passing and I offer my condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, who I know will miss him as much as I will,” Chung says.
“Joe’s contribution to football in Bougainville was immense and his honesty and drive to develop football in Papua New Guinea, and closer to home in Bougainville, was unrivaled.
“I will miss his support and contribution to football and I will strive to fulfil his dream of getting the Bougainvillle training facilities up-and-running so we can improve football in the manner he envisioned.”
Maineke touched many during his lifetime and it comes as no surprise that his passing has affected all those who came in contact with him.
FIFA Director of Member Associations and Development Thierry Regenass was a guest of Maineke and the Bougainville FA in September 2014, when he travelled to the remote Papua New Guinea region to perform the groundbreaking on the Bougainville Football Academy in Manetai, Central Bougainville.
Though short, it was a visit Regenass recalls fondly.
“My sincere condolences to the Bougainville FA and to Joseph’s family,” he expressed.
FIFA Head of Development Programmes Cyriel Loisel noted how much Maineke meant to Chung, his family, his community and football,
“He was so nice, so generous and passionate. My sincere condolences to his wife, children and beloved, but also to all the football community of Papua New Guinea.”
Maineke, a former player, coach and administrator, was elected President of Bougainville Football Association in April 2014 for a four-year term, and was a member of the PNGFA Executive Committee.
With support from PNGFA he envisioned a rise in football in Bougainville with the game filtering into schools and communities, and a goal of being able to enter a side in the PNGFA National Soccer League by 2016.