PORT VILA – The Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) and Air Vanuatu Limited have signed a partnership agreement last week during a Vanuatu Football Federation executive meeting at the Chantillys
on the Bay Hotel in Port Vila.
This partnership agreement is for Air Vanuatu to give special airfares to all staff of the Vanuatu Football Federation when traveling around Vanuatu to develop football in the
nation.
Vanuatu has about 83 islands altogether and has a population of 205 000 people inhabiting the island archipalego.
Transportation to the outer islands is often very difficult and the agreement between VFF and the Air Vanuatu Ltd is seen as a crucial means to developing VFF’s football and
education programmes throughout the country.
“Football has the power to add great value to the lives of the people in this country.
I am delighted that we have agreed this partnership with Air Vanuatu.
Air Vanuatu has been generous in its support of VFF’s aims and we can now reach out to help develop the game further,” Maltock told www.oceaniafootball.com
Mr. Ted Drew of Air Vanuatu and the VFF president Mr. Lambert Maltock signed the partnership agreement at a press conference in Port Vila.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for VFF and I am grateful to Air Vanuatu for its support of football in this country,” Maltock said.
The term for this Partnership agreement is for one year with an option for the partnership to be renewed after one year.
Air Vanuatu is the second local company within Port Vila to become a partner with VFF after Telecom Vanuatu.
The popularity of football in Vanuatu is enjoying a renaissance with the recent OFC O-League match between Tafea FC and Ba attracting around 3,500 fans.
The match between Vanuatu and New Zealand drew a sell-out crowd and live media coverage throughout the Oceania region courtesy of Radio Vanuatu and ABC Radio Australia.
VFF’s development programmes include a Futsal tournament for its Under 12 age-group with the winners of the VFF competition often participating in the OFC U-12 Festival of
Football competition.
Last year, VFF’s winning team travelled to Lyon, France, as Oceania’s champion team where it played matches against Ireland, Switzerland, Germany and Poland.