NOUMEA – The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA) and the Organising Committee of the Christian Karembeu Jubilee in conjunction with the Federation Caledonienne de Football (FCF) is pleased to announce the inclusion of former PNG international footballer John Panu in the Christian Karembeu Jubilee Match scheduled for Saturday May 31 2008.
Christian Karembeu played for France at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and for Real Madrid visited Papua New Guinea in 2007 to help launch the OFC U-12 Festival of Football and asked for the inclusion of a player from this country to help celebrate his career.
John Panu played for Papua New Guinea international soccer team and still plays in the fledgling PNGFA National Soccer League (NSL) at the age of 36.
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter will attend the match and hold a post-match press conference following the OFC Extraordinary Congress on Sunday June 1 2008.
It will be a rare chance for a player from Papua New Guinea to be involved in a match alongside some of football’s greatest players of all time including Zinedine Zidane and Christian Karembeu.
The Karembeu XI will play the France ’98 XI to celebrate the career of the Lifou-born player.
“I am delighted to have Oceania players involved in my jubilee match. I played for France and won many medals and I am proud of the team and what we achieved together.
But I am also Oceanian, born in the South Pacific, and it is logical for me to acknowledge this part of my heritage.
I am very pleased to see an Oceania player included in the festivities,” Karembeu told www.oceaniafootball.com
The OFC U-12 Festival of Football has undergone a name change and this year’s edition will take place in Noumea as a backdrop to the Jubilee match.
The PNGFA has sent one team to New Caledonia to compete at this event with the winning team travelling to Lyon, France, for the Danone Nations Cup 2008.
Papua New Guinea television broadcast outlet EMTV will carry coverage of the match delayed – details to be advised.
MATCH DETAILS
Christian Karembeu XI vs. France ’98 XI
Saturday 31 May 2008
Stade Numa Daly
Noumea
New Caledonia
Kick-Off: 17H00 (NCL time)
EXTRA INFORMATION:
Wednesday 28 May – Saturday 31 May 2008
OFC Youth Festival
Stade Pentecost
Stade Numa Daly
Saturday 31 May 2008
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter visit to New Caledonia
Christian Karembeu XI vs. France ’98 XI
Stade Numa Daly
Noumea
New Caledonia
Kick-Off: 17H00 (NCL time)
Sunday 1 June 2008
OFC Extraordinary Congress
Meridien Hotel
Noumea
New Caledonia
09H00 (NCL time)
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Gordon Glen Watson mobile: +64 (0)21 994 520
Oceania Football Confederation email: [email protected]
Media and Communications
Steve Holloway mobile: +64 (0)21 885 018
Oceania Football Confederation email: [email protected]
Media and Communications