By GABRIEL KATUHO
PAPUA New Guinea Football Federation President, John Kapi Natto, has expressed concern over the lack of government support for the Papua New Guinea national football team, the Kapuls, as they departed for Fiji yesterday for the first leg of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Kapi Natto highlighted that no financial assistance had been provided by the government to support the Kapuls as they prepare to face New Caledonia in their opening match on October 10 in Suva, Fiji.
He compared this to previous World Cup qualifiers, where the government had been highly supportive.
“In the past, the government provided significant assistance for the World Cup qualifiers. For the last campaign, they contributed K500,000, which helped cover travel allowances and accommodations for the players,” he said.
“As the President, I’m very disappointed. We were asked by the government to submit a proposal and an NEC submission, which we did, with the encouragement of the Prime Minister and the former Sports Minister, Don Polye, who assured us of support for football.
But to this day, we have received nothing. Our submission seems to be stuck somewhere in Waigani,” Kapi Natto explained.
He acknowledged that while FIFA provides some funding, it is tightly allocated to various programs, leaving little surplus to assist the national team with essential expenses.
“The funding from FIFA is very limited and goes into all the programs. Finding extra funds to support the team has been a real challenge,” he added.
Despite the financial difficulties, Kapi Natto expressed gratitude to the players, who have remained committed, staying at an incomplete football facility in preparation for the qualifiers.
“My biggest disappointment is with the government and the sports department. These 23 men are representing the country on a world stage, and they deserve more support,” he said.
Kapi Natto also thanked the team’s sponsors, franchises, and the secretariat office for their unwavering support despite the limited funding.
“The players haven’t complained—they’ve remained humble and focused. The spirit I’m seeing now reflects a positive change in attitude and direction for the future of the Kapuls.”
He called on the government and business organizations to step in and show their support as PNG prepares to host two home games, welcoming their Melanesian brothers to Papua New Guinea’s shores.
