The Papua New Guinea Football Association elected a new president in John Kapi Natto at its Congress on Saturday.

Kapi Natto won the vote with ten votes to fellow candidate John Wesley Gonjuan’s eight.

Owner of the Hekari United franchise, Kapi Natto has played a large role in shaping Papua New Guinea football.

His side remains the only non-New Zealand or Australian club to win the coveted OFC Champions League title and in recent years the club has focused heavily on grassroots and youth development.

OFC President Lambert Maltock extended his congratulations to Kapi Natto and the newly elected executive committee, while also acknowledging the difficult road ahead.

“While news of your election will bring great joy and happiness to many football fans and leaders in PNG, I know you will be very aware of the huge responsibility ahead of you to restore the credibility and good image of football in Papua New Guinea,” Maltock said.

“I look forward to collaborating with you and the new PNGFA executive committee to try and resolve the crisis which the association has been undergoing, and build Papua New Guinea football back up to the heights of its past.”

Maltock also acknowledged the work PNGFA Vice-President Gonjuan has done in the interim, following the resignation of former president David Chung earlier this year.

Kapi Natto and the PNGFA Executive Committee will be in place for the remainder of the term which is due to finish in 2020.