Just over 31 years ago both Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands made an application to become members of the Oceania Football Confederation at an Extra-Ordinary Congress in Auckland, New Zealand, September 14th, 1975.
Their application was joined by one from Chinese-Taipei who wished to leave the Asian Football Confederation to become full members of the OFC…
Chinese-Taipei – represented by their spokesman Mr Chang Chin-Tzao – launched his nation’s proposal to OFC President Jack Cowie. The application was approved and – pending FIFA approval – Chinese-Taipei were admitted full member status of the OFC. Chinese-Taipei’s classification, though, was clouded somewhat. They were already deemed a Provisional Member of the OFC. The final decision on Chinese-Taipei’s admission into the OFC family would be left up to FIFA the following November, until then, they were afforded full rights to partake in any and all discussions pertaining to OFC.
The Solomon Islands – or the British Solomons – as they were known, had already lodged a seperate application to join FIFA. The British Solomons were elevated to Provisional Members of the OFC until FIFA deliberated further on the application.
Papua New Guinea’s re-application for OFC membership was met positively and their spokesman – Mr. W. Wiggle – said that rejoining the OFC would be of “great benefit” to the people of his country and that the popularity of soccer had made it the number one sport and that the Papua New Guinea Government had made it a priority. Papua New Guinea football administration was being run by Papua New Guineans for the first time and the future of their organisation was considered bright.
OFC Honorary President Charlie Dempsey recalls visiting Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands shortly after Australia’s resignation from the OFC in the 1970’s, “I remember the trip to the (British) Solomons and nobody was able to tell me where the Solomons Football Association was located. I tried the Post Office and they couldn’t tell me so I went to the local police station. As soon as I got there I could see all these people outside kicking a ball around and so I talked to them about the game and we went forward from there. I have to say at the time I was a bit disappointed to see the lack of an organised infrastructure. But we persevered and helped them form a constitution and administration. It really was an exciting time.”
Since then both the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea have gone on to record significant victories in OFC qualifying tournaments. Papua New Guinea’s shock 1-0 victory over New Zealand in Port Moresby on the 31st May, 1997 and the Solomon Islands progress to the 2005 OFC Nations Cup Final and World Cup Qualifier playoff against Australia rate as highlights for both nations in modern times.
Chinese-Taipei left the OFC and rejoined the Asian Football Confederation in 1989.