By GABRIEL KATUHO
POPONDETTA soccer veteran, Mr Stonwick Aireba, is set to make his debut in the upcoming Touch Footy World Cup in United Kingdom later this month (July).
Despite not being actively participating in the sporting arena for a while, Aireba says it is never too late until it is too late.
In a recent interview with the Sunday Bulletin, Aireba, who was named in the PNG Seniors team for the world cup shared his football journey since 1996.
Hailing from Kurou in Gona area in the coastline of Oro province, the Popondetta soccer veteran’s story is different to other players.
Aireba started playing touch footy in 1996 and the following year (1997), he joined the provincial team.
He kept on playing until he was selected to the provincial team to Madang the following year.
Aireba was part of the Popondetta 7s team to several national games in the country that have won several gold medals.
Since then, he never actively participated in the games until last year when the province hosted the games.
That time was an opportunity for him to come back, however, did not realize that was his new beginning to the code.
Stonwick said Oro province is full of talented players and so when the competition was hosted in the province, they have had more than two teams.
This gave access to the youths to showcase their talents and he was one of them putting up his own show.
After having being part of many football competitions in the country, he was selected to make the PNG Man’s touch footy team for the Touch World Cup in Unted Kingdom.
Aireba is now set to debut for the world cup and this will also be his first international game.
He is not alone in this international football journey as he will be accompanied by his brother from the same province, David Aruha, who is also named to make his debut.
Aireba encouraged the boys in the province to refrain from bad influences and anti-social behaviors and take sports as a tool for healthy growth and development.
“I want encourage my brothers in the province to let go of bad habits and behaviors and play sports,” he said.
“Sports can take you to different places. If I can come back from being sport less for so long and make it to the national team to World cup, you have no excuse,” the Popondetta soccer veteran expressed.
Stonwick said this would be his last year in playing as he looks forward for retiring and running competition in the province for the upcoming talents.
