Pic Cap: FIFA President Gianni Infantino (left) with PNGFA president John Kapi Natto- picture supplied
By CHARLIE DUMAVI
FEDERATION Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) President, Mr. Gianni Infantino, will be in Papua New Guinea as part of his visit to OFC countries.
He will be arriving in the country along with a team of 13 delegations this Sunday, August 13 2023.
Papua New Guinea Football Association President, John Kapi Natto, announced this in a media conference today at Sir John Guise Stadium.
Mr. Infantino’s visit is part of his visit to the Oceania region countries following New Zealand’s effort to co-host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Mr. Natto said the FIFA President will be accompanied by the iconic Football Referee, Pierluigi Collina.
“Today, I received an official letter for the FIFA President’s coming to PNG, and I am very honoured to officially announce his visit.
“This visit is part of his intention to visit the OFC member countries while attending the ongoing FIUFA women’s world cup in New Zealand and Australia.
“It is an honoured to host FIFA president Mr Infantino who is no stranger to PNG,” Mr. Natto said.
He said Mr. Infantino visited PNG when he was on his campaign trail to stand for FIFA president seat following the resignation of former president Sepp Blatter.
Mr. Natto said he the returned after receiving the role as FIFA president to watch the final of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup that was held here in Port Moresby.
He said Infantino will be the third FIFA President to visit PNG after Joao Havelange in 1983 and Sepp Blatter in 2007.
President Natto said the visit by Infantino is more than just an iconic visit.
“The visit shows Mr. Infantino’s interest in the Island football playing country.”
The FIFA president will be in the country with a delegation of former footballers and football administrators.
Upon their arrival at the Jackson’s international Airport, they will move straight to the PNG Football Stadium (PNGFS).
From PNGFS, the delegation will go for a break at Hilton Hotel where they will be hosted.
Nest day, they will return to PNGFS for a game of football against the PNG legends.
The event is open for general public to attend and be part of the celebration for the day before President Infantino departs the next day to Solomon Islands.
The FIFA delegates to take on PNG all-stars (legends) are listed below.
FIFA Presidential delegations include: Gianni Infantino (FIFA President), Mattias Grafstrom (FIFA Deputy Secretary General), Youri Djorkaeff (FIFA Senior Football Advisor), Houssine Kharja (FIFA Legend), Timothy Cahill (FIFA Legend), Carlos Cordeiro (Senior Advisor to FIFA President), Federico Raviglione (FIFA Head of President’s Office), Onofre Costa (FIFA Communication (Consultant), Sanjeevan C Balasingam (FIFA Regional Director Asia & Oceania), David Francis Firisua (FIFA Lead Regional Office), Scott Woodford (FIFA MA Development Manager), Lambert Maltock (OFC President), Pierluigi Collin (FIFA Match Official) Legend.
PNGFA’s tentative all-star (legend) include: John Kapi Natto-PNGFA President, Gordon Manub (General Secretary) Dan Kakaraya (PNGFA legal adviser and the Local organizing committee chairman)Godfrey BANIAU (GK) Madang Fox FC), David Aua (GK) Sobou FC), Trevor Ire (UNI FC), Joe Aisa (Uni FC), David Muta (Hekari United FC, Eric Komeng, Andrew Lepani – Hekari (United FC) Steven Mune, Paul Komboi – (Unitech FC), Nathaniel Lepani (Eastern Stars FC), (Nasa Wangu – (Blue Kumuls FC).
