History of Papua New Guinea Football Association

HISTORY

Soccer was first introduced in PNG in 1884 in Finschafen, Morobe Province by the German missionaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of German.An organised soccer competition was started in the gold fields of Wau/Bulolo by the indigenous gold-miners. This competition was called the Wau Kik, which is often referred to nowadays as Wau/Bulolo, or 1946 Kik, depicting a foul kick or rough play.

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Papua New Guinea as it is in the world.

During the colonial era of the then the Territory of Papua and New Guinea, soccer was played as a social event between the European Administrators and a hand full of locals who were given the opportunity to play. It then spread throughout the country and young local villagers were involved in playing the game, specially in schools.

Papua New Guinea Football Association in the early days started with no offices. Most Administrative matters were run in the home and office of past held Administrators. Basically with no financial support, depending on the contribution of die hard fans, players and administrators who have voluntarily contributed towards this sport despite the facts till today. The Papua New Guinea Football Association managed to operate from its own office in 1999 through the funding of OFC and FIFA. The first PNGFA office was in Lae and run by a full time paid General Secretary. That was also the year where the PNGFA Constitution was adopted.

News reports from the South Pacific Post states that the Port Moresby football association was established in January1962 with the election of senior administrative officers from Australia. Administrator Sir Allan Cleland was the inaugural patron.

A central organization, recognized by those who played the game in the four regions of Papua, Highlands, Momase and the New Guinea Islands became necessary to run the affairs of the thriving game.

Later in 1962, the Papua New Guinea Football Association was established with the primary role to unite and coordinate provincial soccer associations, and facilitate participation in the national and the international level.

The following year (1963) Papua New Guinea Football Association moved swiftly to become a member of the global football family of soccer nations affiliating to FIFA - Federation International de Football Association which is the worlds governing body of soccer.

In 1966, Papua New Guinea Football Association become a chief player in the establishment of the Oceania Football Confederation, an organization that was formed to coordinate and facilitate football game in the Pacific regional level which includes Australia and New Zealand. The founding members of OFC were PNG, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia.

Papua New Guinea Football Association Membership

The membership of Papua new Guinea Football Association changes over the years as association pay the required affiliation fees before they are admitted to the National Organization. however, the actual number of players in the four regions of Southern, New Guinea Islands, Highlands and the Momase cannot be established due to the lack of due to the statistics provided by the associations. But it is estimated that over 45, 000 players played for PNGFA sanctioned tournaments or played for fun.

The games has enjoyed its fair share of historical moments with the two days visit to Papua New Guinea in 1983 by then FIFA President Dr. Joao Havelange. The PNGFA president at that time was Wep Kanawi and secretary the Late Andrew Waho were heavily behind the visit and quickly secured technical assistance from the German government. A German coach named Jochen Figg arrived in 1985 to assist in the development of the game in Papua New Guinea. He was based at the National Sports Institute.

Financial constraints will continue to hinder development of sports in Papua New Guinea. But the sizable annual financial assistance of US$250,000.00 from FIFA from 1999 to 2003, gave Papua New guinea Football Association the opportunity to fund its development programs. The establishment of the Papua New guinea Football Association Soccer Academy, in Lae Morobe Province, which has become the headquarters of the game became paramount.

Under the current president, Mr. David Chung, Papua New Guinea Football Association has adopted a vision to .promote and popularize as the number one sport through out the country, and develop Papua new Guinea into a leading football nation in the Oceania region.

The Chung executive has developed and introduced various strategies for the next four years which are expected to improve the standard of the game in the country. These are youth football, which implemented the Junior Besta Development program, Men's and Women's competitions, Technical Development, Refereeing, Medical, Futsal and Planning and Administration.

National Soccer League (NSL)

Papua New Guinea's most ambitious project yet is the introduction of a semi-professional competition under the auspices of National SOccer League. Six franchises will line up in August for a season of home and away game where players and officials are expected adopt strict discipline, commitment and determination - the announced characteristics o professional player needs to excel.

The NSL is aimed at making aimed at making Papua New Guinea more competitive in the Oceania on the world scene.

Papua New Guinea has the Natural ability to excel in the sports - it is up to all the stake holders to build a solid relationship to realize the true potentials of Papua New Guinea in sports especially in football.