The 20-year-old has been studying at North Kentucky University in the United States of America, but recently returned home in the hope that he can secure a starring role in Ricki Herbert’s Papua New Guinea U-23 squad which is getting ready for the XV Pacific Games in Port Moresby in July.
“I feel very honoured to be considered for the Pacific Games,” Komolong says.
“This tournament is being used as a U-23 qualifier for the 2016 Olympic Games, so if we win, Papua New Guinea will get a trip to Brazil next year.”
The Pacific Games are held every four years with the previous edition held in New Caledonia in 2011. That year the Papua New Guinea women’s team won the gold medal, while the men’s side came away with nothing – something they’re hoping to turn around on home soil come July.
“I feel playing at home in such a tournament will really heighten the nerves, but at the same time give us even more of an urge to win,” Komolong says.
“I’m hoping to gain valuable experience to learn from and improve my game.”
Despite his young age, Komolong can already boast a football career that has already taken him across three confederations.
He started learning the trade in Papua New Guinea and Australia before heading off to Germany as a 14-year-old to visit family, and ended up playing for a local club for 18 months.
From there he returned to Papua New Guinea, joining the local development squad before taking part in the 2011 OFC U-17 Championship and leading the team as captain. Before again donning the captain’s armband in 2013 with the national U-20 squad in Fiji at the OFC U-20 Championship.
The same year he returned to Europe as a member of OFC Player of the Century Wynton Rufer’s WYNRS team, taking part in the Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup 2013 in Zurich alongside New Zealanders Tyler Boyd and Louis Fenton.
Arriving at North Kentucky University in 2014, Komolong made 20 appearances, notching one assist during the seaosn. He became a key figure in the central midfield and was named team captain despite being in his first year with the team.
He’s now hoping the experience he gains playing in Papua New Guinea during the northern summer will benefit him on his return to University.
“Everything I take out of the tournament will improve my game, and also help my career at NKU,” he says.
“I hope to come back to NKU as a better player, so taht I can help the team go one step further in the Atlantic Sun Conference.”
For more on Papua New Guinea football visit www.pngfootball.com.pg

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