New era in PNG's football scene

Saturday marked a new era in PNG football when John Kapi Natto was elected as the new Papua New Guinea Football Association president at the 15th Bi-Annual Congress at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Port Moresby.

At the beginning of the proceeding, it was confirmed to the congress that all 18 PNGFA member associations were entitled to vote following an MOU signed between John Wesley Gonjuan, John Kapi Natto and FIFA.

Kapi Natto picked up 10 votes to defeat his closest rival John Wesley Gonjuan with 8 votes.

Kapi Natto brings with him a wealth of experience in corporate leadership and sports administration, given that his leadership will be the key to success in soccer going forward.

Immediately following the election, Kapi Natto took the opportunity to thank his supporters and share his vision for the future.

“Our future vision now is to build a better PNGFA than was before. 18 months of my journey around the country has convinced me that we have not done much and our provinces deserve to be part of the PNGFA football family,” he stated.

“I am ready to bring in great sponsorships to support our different programs in PNGFA and in order for PNG to go to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it must start now and a dream must be born.”

The owner of Hekari United franchise, Kapi Natto has played a large role in shaping Papua New Guinea football.

His side remains the only non-New Zealand or Australian club to win the coveted OFC Champions League title and in recent years, the club has focused heavily on grassroots and youth development.

Kapi Natto and the PNGFA executive committee will be in place for the remainder of the term, which is due to finish in 2020 before the next elective congress.

Kapi Natto served one term as PNGFA Vice President after being elected to the post in 2008 and was instrumental in the establishment of the National Soccer League.

Since entering football as a young lad in 1972, following his father’s aspiration in sports, especially soccer, Kapi Natto tried to see and understand how and where football was going and how he could be part of this football family in PNG.

(PNGFA president John Kapi Natto, third left, with his executives)

Author: 
Press release