The PNGFA technical department led by technical Director Taku Niebo has selected the top U-16 boys from schools around NCD to form the first intake of the programme, which starts on Monday.
Niebo said the programme is designed by OFC as a way of developing and maintaining players who have shown potential in football and who could go on to represent the nation.
“The idea is to give the best players from around Port Moresby the chance to experience an environment where they train in the best conditions and have the opportunity to study, ” said Niebo.
He said education was an interesting aspect of the elite academy.
“To play football and at the same time study is the best opportunity for these youths. If they aren’t successful in football or in sport they have an education behind them which will help them find work,” said Niebo.
The first session of the 2014 programme got underway on Monday at Port Moresby National High School and players will be attending trainings three times a week.
The specialised training is exposing them to a greater amount of football and giving the young talents their first taste of representative or elite level training sessions.
In the years to come the Elite Academy program will be the breeding ground of future national team players.
Lae has started the program last year and now into its second year while Port Moresby has the opportunity to get the program underway this year after a successful negotiation
for a venue.
Ends

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