Following the departure of the FIFA delegation for Moscow, Russia, OFC president led a small delegation to Bougainville as part of the “Football for Hope” initiative at Hutjena oval.
Bougainville – an autonomous region, but part of Papua New Guinea – was a territory torn asunder by war and political division. Its one saving grace has been football and its healing power within the peace process that has taken place over the past ten years.
With the disappointment of FIFA president Blatter’s departure, OFC president Reynald Temarii stepped in in his new role as FIFA vice-president, alongside FIFA Development Officers David Borja and Glenn Turner, with stunning effect.
Bougainville turned out in force to welcome the delegation and it was here that Reynald Temarii announced that FIFA is proposing a youth tournament involving teams representing each Confederation as part of the inauguration of the FIFA House in May 2007.
Temarii announced that the male team that represents OFC at the tournament shall be selected from the Bougainville U-16 team. The news was met with unbridled delight by those gathered.
The Autonomous Bougainville Government president Joseph Kabui and the people of Bougainville were thrilled to hear the news and emphasised the impact football was having in the region’s delicate peace process.
PNGFA president David Chung also revealed the PNGFA would commit 10,000 kina ($5,000NZD) to the Bougainville soccer youth program.
Bougainville chief administrator Peter Tsiamalili said that the region had been both honoured and blessed by the visit.