Kariko’s appointment was submitted and endorsed by Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) President David Chung and was confirmed by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter during the 62nd FIFA Congress in Budapest, Hungary.
“It is a great honour to be part of the game on the world stage,” Kariko says.
“To have an input into its governance is special, not just for me but for the recognition of the country. I especially thank the PNGFA and President David Chung for the opportunity he has granted me to become part of the world game.”
Kariko, the Deputy Secretary for the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, now joins other Papua New Guineans in holding a position with one of FIFA’s range of committees.
Chung, who is also the OFC President, automatically qualifies as a FIFA vice-president and is chairman of the Organising Committee for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and deputy chairman of the medical and marketing/TV committees. He is also a member of the emergency, finance and strategic committees, as well as being part of the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup.
Other Papua New Guinea nationals on FIFA committees are PNGFA vice-president John Kapi Natto (Organising Committee for the FIFA Club World Cup), PNGFA women’s representative Linda Wonuhali (Committee for Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup) and PNGFA lawyer Daniel Kakaraya (Appeal Committee).
Chung says Kariko is an ideal person for the role as he has vast experience in international law.
“His experience is important to FIFA and they need independent people to show transparency,” he says.
“He met all the requirements and qualifications and Papua New Guinea football should be proud of him.”
The 34-year-old provides legal advice on international law matters for the Papua New Guinea government and his new role with the FIFA Ethics Committee will see him helping to implement the governing body’s Code of Ethics.
The Ethics Committee, which is divided into an investigatory chamber and an adjudicatory chamber, is responsible for FIFA’s investigation and decision-making in areas of the game such as bribery and corruption.
Kariko’s other interest is rugby union and he is vice-president of the Motuan Warriors club, who take part in the Port Moresby competition.
The full list of members for the adjudicatory chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee is as follows:
Chairman Hans-Joachim Eckert (Germany), Petrus Damaseb (Namibia), Juan Pedro Damiani (Uruguay), Burton Haimes (USA), Abdoulaye Mokhtar Diop (Senegal), Jack Kariko (PNG), Yngve Hallén (Norway) and Thi My Dung Nguyen (Vietnam).
For more on Papua New Guinea football go to www.pngfootball.com.pg