By CHARLIE DUMAVI
Lae City FC who have lost their sponsorship to compete in this seasons prolonged National Premier League competiton has secured a new sponsorship and are confirmed to take part in the 2023 season.
The Lae City Authority have come on board to the rescue of reigning champions Lae city FC after Lae Biscuit Company Limited pulled its sponsorship. City will take on Gulf Komara in Port Moresby on Monday July 3, 2023 at 3pm in Port Moresby.
This was announced on Friday by PNG Football Association’s President John Kapi Natto. Mr Natto announced that there are total of eight teams set to compete in the NPL season 2023 starting tomorrow.
“We are so grateful that the Lae City Authority is the new sponsor of a club that was once owned by the previous owner. Lae City Authority is now the new owner of Lae City FC,” Mr Natto said.Fomer Lae City FC owner Ian Chow also confirmed that he is is happy for Lae City Authority to use the name LCFC and support PNG’s champion football team, Lae City FC.This means there will not be any change of the team name.”I am happy to let LCA use the name, one day we may return as LBC team when the current PNGFA management changes,” Chow said.
There are a total of eight clubs set to take part in the Natinal Premier League and the club’s it include Lae City FC, FC Morobe Wawens, Gulf Komara FC, Hekari United FC, United Highlands, Madang FC, Lae City Dwellers FC and Port Moresby Strikers FC.
The teams will compete in a home and away format in Port Moresby, Lae and Madang with the following draws Date: Saturday 01 July 2023Venue: Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium1:00 pm – United Highlands FC vs FC Morobe Wawens3:00 pm – Lae City Dwellers FC vs Madang FCDate: Saturday 01 July 2023Venue: Sir John Guise Stadium5:00 pm – Hekari United FC vs Port Moresby Strikers FCDate:
Monday 03 July 2023 at 3pm.
Venue: Sir John Guise Stadium Gulf Komara vs Lae City FC
Mr Natto also added that the eight teams will be given license for to prove themselves competative to be in the competition or they will have to be relegated after two years.”We are so happy for this eight clubs. They will be signed for two years, no more EOI (expression of interest) for the next two years.”Moreover for the women’s league there are a total of 24 teams and the draws are as scheduled:
Port Moresby: Hekari United FC, Central Amoana FC, Bernice FC, Allies FC and Souths Hinamo FC, Port Moresby Strikers FC.
Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium: Sepik FC v Lae City Dwellers FC and 11am Rainy Lae FC v FC Morobe Wawens, Bara FC.
Mt Hagen: Mommers FC v Blue Kumuls FC, Mt Hagen FC, Kagua Erave FC, Kuri FC, Simbu FC, Southern Highlands Provincial FC
Bougainville: Central Bougainville FC, Kiara FC, Northern Bougainville FC, Buka Atolls FC, Hamatana FC v South Bougainville FC.
The women’s competition will be competed in Sir John Guise stadium in Port Moresby, Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium in Lae, Kimininga Police barracks Mt Hagen and Hutjena oval in Bougainville.
