THE future of Papua New Guinea football in the international level lies with grooming young and upcoming talents to be better footballers.
The Hekari United Football Club School of Excellence and Academy is one of the foundations of this interesting and promising pathway.
Hekari Football Club owner Vonnie Kapi Natto with the help of Hekari players in PNG, Kapuls David Muta, Wira Wama, and Daniel Joe including HUFC assistant Coach Erickson Komeng have voluntarily made available their time to teach kids from the age of 4-17 the basics of football.
Ms Kapi Natto said Hekari FC has committed its own time and resources with the aim to instil discipline, right attitude and more so the basic skills of football.
The 2021 Hekari School of Excellence program will be held at Bisini Soccer ground every Saturday from 6-9am and will continue right throughout the year.
The players including Ms Kapi Natto are willing to give back to football and to see many young talents coming out of this program.
Hekari star midfielder David Muta said growing up as a kid, his aim was to one day play for PNG in the World Cup but that dream has never been achieved.
“However, I believed that if we invest our time to train and nourish the kids with the basics of football at the early age, then these are the kids that will take PNG to the World Cup.
“It is a worthwhile investment and we are happy to create this pathway for the kids so they can be able to one day play for our country in the big stage. I played for my country for many years in the international level but we have fall short of making it to the World Cup. These kids will make it there if we invest more on them,” he said.
PNG International Wira Wama echoed similar sentiments saying building young players at an early age is the key.
“If they know the basics it will be easier for them when they go up to the elite level,” Wama said.
He added that it was always the aim of Hekari that apart from football they want to see kids become good citizens of the country and good footballers as well.
Coach Komeng said it was always a challenge when players try to adapt to the style of play in the elite level and this program can be able to help the upcoming players be more prepared as they excel in football.
The Hekari School of Excellence and Academy program is opened to any interested kids and the vision is to work with young kids who can be better footballers carrying the flag of PNG at the international stage.
Hekari FC is fond of this program and is will to create pathways for kids under this program who can be able to play football and achieve their dreams in education as well. One notably player is Wira Wama who just returned from US after successfully completing his education under Hekari sponsorship.