PORT MORESBY – While Papua New Guineans everywhere were busy celebrating 33 years of independence, Hekari Souths United’s two new signings Joachim Waroi and Fred Hale (pictured) were joining in the festivities after signing for Papua New Guinea’s 2009 O-League representatives.

Solomon Islands top goalkeeper Fred Hale and Under-23 striker Joachim Waroi have been brought into the country by Hekari Souths United FC to help beef up their O-League campaign.

Both were delighted to arrive in time for the Independence celebrations and get a feel for the country.

The players have joined a throng of Solomon Islands internationals that have made the move to the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) National Soccer League (NSL) in recent years.

Waroi said despite this being his first visit to the country, fitting into the lifestyle and culture in Papua New Guinea would be easy.

“Solomon Islands and PNG are no different so that’s why I have slotted in easily with the team,” he said

"Papua New Guinea is a great country, with good people, and I’m looking forward to furthering my career with Hekari Souths United".

When asked if winning the PNGFA NSL title was upper-most in his mind, Waroi was direct.

“My aim is to help Hekari win the 2009 O-League,” he said.

The two Solomon Islands stars were originally to celebrate the country’s independence with Hekari by playing an international friendly against the visiting Solomon Islands.

Sadly for both countries the match fell through at the last minute.

Despite that disappointment, Hale was positive the future with Hekari United was bright.

"It’s good to be in Papua New Guinea and be part of the NSL Telikom Cup.

There is not much difference between Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands soccer standards."

“I am happy to be here and Joachim and I wish to say congratulations to PNG for its 33 years of Independence,” Hale said

Soccer is the national sport of the Solomon Islands and the locals take pride in its success in Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) O-League and the FIFA world events such as FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup and FIFA Futsal World Cup tournaments.

Solomon Islands is ranked fifth in the Oceania and 121 in the world according to FIFA’s rankings system.

PNG is 11th in the Oceania from 12 Pacific countries and 182 in the world after missing out on the XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007.

Solomon Islands have a tradition of players contracted to professional and semi-professional clubs in the Oceania and Asian region, predominantly in Australia and New Zealand.

Fred Hale has starred at the past three FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups in Rio de Janeiro and Marseille.

Hale was part of the Solomon Islands international team that finished fourth at the XIII South Pacific Games in Samoa last year.

Waroi has age-group and full international honours with the senior national team and joins fellow compatriots Abraham Iniga, Jack Samani and Benjamin Mela in the PNGFA NSL Telikom Cup competition.

A raft of foreign players have been drafted into Papua New Guinea’s National Soccer League from as far afield as Australia, Solomon Islands and South Korea.

Story courtesy of PNGFA Media Officer Daisy Bowada