Teams Pull out of PNG NSL (Post Courier 30/12/16)

Hekari United have won the PNG National Soccer League champions nine times and Minor Premiers for the 11 seasons of the Telikom National Soccer League.

By FIDELIS SUKINA

Hekari United and a number of other clubs in the Telikom National Soccer League are expected to pull out of next year’s season.

This was made known by Hekari United Football Club owner John Kapi Natto yesterday to the media; he added that a few other clubs as well have contacted him and pulled out as well.

The news comes as part of 12 PNGFA Associations lobbying to form a new Soccer Association for the country after their non participation in the PNGFA Annual General Meeting in Kimbe on Wednesday.

Kapi Natto said the 12 Associations Hekari, Mendi, Wabag, Koupa, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Lae Football Association, Manus, Madang, National Capital District Public Servants Soccer Association (NCDPSSA), Tabubil, Goroka and Lahi, will be endorsing a new National Super League.

“As of Wednesday several clubs have called me saying they will withdraw from the current national league and as of today Hekari has officially resigned from the Telikom National Soccer League.

“Gulf Erema FC, Rapatona, Admiralty have pulled out from the National Soccer League ,from the biggest association in the Lae Football Association are two franchise clubs the Lae City Dwellers and Welgris Morobe United while Gigira Laitepo United FC have pulled out their sponsorship and will not participate in the competition.

“These clubs will join the new Super League I started NSL seven years ago it’s not very hard to put all the things back together all the templates are there I just need good men to get involved,”

This withdrawal by clubs may cause friction towards the national team the PNG Kapuls which is made up mostly of players from Hekari, and Lae City Dwellers who have also shown support for their team’s withdrawals.

Kapi Natto said his team the nine time NSL champions will withdraw from the OFC Champions League.

“Hekari also has withdrawn from the OFC Champions League in New Caledonia the O league starts in February officially we are not going if they want to send the third runner up or the fourth runner up its up to them NSL ,” Kapi Natto said.