Football development in Papua New Guinea has achieved an historical milestone with the arrival of a semi-professional football competition. The PNGNSL is a five team franchise competition that includes clubs such as Tuguba Laitepo Blue Kumuls FC, Welgris Fuel Distributors Momads FC, Alois Kingsley Fox FC, Petroleum Resources Kutubu Souths United FC and Gele Hills United FC.
With “Kick Higher” as the motto of the newly introduced semi-professional soccer league, its aim is to develop the style of soccer played to a higher level and to create opportunities for players and clubs to have a bit of taste in the professional football played around the world.
PNGFA, under the presidency of Mr. David Chung, is looking further into the future of PNG football to bring it up to the standard of football played in the Oceania region. PNG has not been a champion in any of the OFC sanctioned tournaments in the past. PNG’s ranking in the Oceania is also very low.
The PNGFA hopes that a better PNGNSL will, in turn, produce a better standard of performance at OFC tournaments.
It is hoped the PNGNSL will motivate and drive players to develop technically and tactically making them identify key areas of their game that require improvement.
The PNGFA is very optimistic that more franchise clubs will join the fledgling PNGNSL next year and the competition will be improve in its strength and composition and attract more local/international coaches and players.
At present Tagube Laitepo Blue Kumuls head the top of the competition after 6 rounds. The Kumuls are on 11 points having won 3, drawing twice and suffering just 1 defeat. They are trailed by Gele Hill United. WFD Momads are bottom of the table with just 3 points.