Kapi Natto to launch UNRE-Gazelle Football Association

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PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment launches its nationally-affiliated soccer association tomorrow.
UNRE-Gazelle Football Association (UFGA) is registered with Football Federation PNG (FFPNG).
FFPNG president John Kapi Natto who arrives in the province today, will launch the association in the presence of UGFA-affiliated clubs, senior University staff and representatives of the Gazelle District Administration.
Police Minister and Gazelle MP Jelta Wong is also expected to attend.
UGFA President Joel Ivura, a staff of the University, said the association was started in 2015 for students so they wouldn’t have to make the long distance trip to Kokopo every week to participate in town matches.
But when word got out to local surrounding communities that the University was running a soccer competition, the interest received was overwhelming. A total of 22 teams from Inland Baining and Central Gazelle participated in the inaugural competition. Apart from student clubs and staff dependents, teams came from as far as Salat Mountain, Utmei, NARI, CCI and Kerevat.
Seeing the talent players have and the level of enthusiasm, association executives decided to take the body to a higher level, hence the affiliation with FFPNG.
The partnership promotes FFPNG’s vision to take the National Premier League to the grassroot level, and it gives UFGA the avenue to develop its players and market them to semi-professional clubs such as Radazz FC, Admiralty FC and even Hekari United FC.
Mr Ivura said however that the association would not have come this far without the support of UNRE students.
The support was demonstrated once again when the UNRE Students Representative Council (SRC) paid the registration of K1,000 to FFPNG a few weeks ago.
Mr Ivura and UGFA executives acknowledged and thanked the SRC for its assistance.
The association also acknowledged and thanked East New Britain Governor Nakikus Konga for his donation to the association in 2016 before he was elected to parliament.
Mr Ivura said the support had boosted the morale of executives and players alike and had also demonstrated the confidence Governor Konga, then as a private businessman, had in the small competition.
Governor Konga donated a shield worth K1,690.90; four sets of referees’ uniform at the cost of K900.00 and K2,000 cash to help run association games. The Nakikus Konga shield will be played for five years. This is its third year.
Mr Ivura said UGFA’s main focus now is to build soccer in the district and province.
He said because the University is taking lead, they would like to lead by example and see the association grow.
Students Support Services Director Erike Sifuma said one function of the section is to promote sports in the University because apart from providing pathways for youths and students to develop, it also gives students reason to conduct themselves in a more disciplined way.
Mr Sifuma is also an executive of UGFA who committed his time and effort to support the association since it began.
The association is fortunate to have staff and students volunteer to ensure competitions run smoothly.
“Although we are not paid, it’s very gratifying to see the smiles on the faces of the young people who participate,” said Mr Sifuma.
He said these young people are seen spending all day on the field instead of staying at home and taking part in antisocial activities.
Clubs interested to participate must have teams in the nominated divisions - Senior Men/Senior Women; Under 17 and Under 15.
Meanwhile, the association on behalf of the District is looking forward to sending four teams to compete in the New Guinea Islands Regional Championship which will be held from June 5-8.

File photo: Players in the Association with Governor Nakikus Konga in 2016
when he donated the Nakikus Konga Shield. 



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