Wynton Rufer, the Oceania Player of the Century, and FIFA Ambassador in the Oceania Football Confederation was in Papua New Guinea to officiate the opening of the 2006 Besta Junior National Futsal Tournament in Lae today.

Rufer said the OFC’s main concern should be to put more resources into junior development programs because that is where the future of the Oceania football lies.

The commitment by the OFC and the Papua New Guinea Football Association in the Junior Development is not only to develop the game but also as a means to develop and shape the young ones to be good humans resource of the future.

Rufer said he was very happy with the kind of interest shown by kids, schools and parents and commitment of resources and time by Papua New Guinea Football Association and the Local Organizing Committee.

Rufer also acknowledged the commitment by International Food Cooperation under it’s product name BESTA in sponsoring the Junior Development Program.

In the meantime, Papua New Guinea Football Association President, Mr. David Chung, said his main objective of the Junior Development Program is the build the soccer skills of young Papua New Guineans so that they can one day perform with distinction on the international stage.

“The commitment of resources and time in the Junior Development program is not only to develop the kids to play soccer but also to kick out social and health problem associated with young ones by keeping them away from Drugs, HIV and thefts”, he said.

Mr. Chung said Papua New Guinea will be pleasantly surprised to see these juniors become senior players that could one day make Papua New Guinea the number one football power in the Oceania Region.

Also speaking at the opening, the National Sales and Marketing manager of International Food Corperation (IFC) PNG Ltd, Mr. John Anis said IFC is happy to support the Junior Development Program because the game is played by everybody and will continue to support and sponsor the program.

Story courtesy of Thomas Kambi PNGFA