By CHARLIE DUMAVI
DESPITE the fighting incident last weekend during National Soccer League semi-final at PNG Football Stadium, Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) is not considering hosting the grand final outside of Port Moresby.
PNGFA competition manager Ahmjad Tekwie announced this yesterday saying he is considering hosting the event at the main Sir John Guise stadium and not in Lae.
“When we sent out the competition regulations, it was all stipulated in there and all the team managers did review and agree to it so we will maintain as it is. The final will be next week Saturday (February 4, 2023) in Port Moresby,” Mr. Tetwie said.
“Based on the incident over the weekend, we will do our best to make sure that we tighten up on security. That would be one of our main priorities,” he said.
PNGFA president John Kapi Natto also added that “If we have to change all of a sudden, we may affect all the decisions that were already made so we have to stand on the decision that was already agreed by the management”.
President Natto however, congratulates the organizers and the people in Lae for the violence free semi-final that was contested between Lae City FC and Lae Natives FC at Sir John Guise stadium.
“I would like to congratulate the guys up in Lae, they did a good job, a very good semifinal there,” Mr. Natto said.
He also apologized to the spectators, sponsors and the public for the incident that occurred between spectators after the match.
Mr. Natto said the incident was an unfortunate one and that an investigation will be carried out.
As a president of PNGFA, Mr. Natto apologized to the sponsors and partners of the PNGFA for what has transpired during the semi-final.
“After my discussion with my executive and member associations for the incident, I would like to convey my apologies to our sponsors for the incident. We did not expect such but it happened.
I would like to also apologize to our partners who have been supporting football in the country for what has happened,” Mr. Natto said.
He extended the same sentiment to the children who witnessed the violence that day.
Meanwhile, President Natto has retracked what he said during the incident to PNG Rugby League (PNGRL) saying “take violence to rugby league, not here”. “I like to withdraw that officially in the media.”
“That came out from frustration of a president who saw violence played in all other areas of sport.” Mr. Natto said.
