The Papua New Guinea National Soccer League (PNGNSL) and Telikom PNG has announced a sponsorship deal worth K80,000 for the forthcoming 2007
season which kicks-off on 3rd November.
Telikom PNG is the largest telecomunication company in Papua New Guinea has secured naming rights to the second edition of the
semi-professional competition following a major launch at the Telikom Rumana Building earlier this week.
PNGFA President/OFC Senior Vice-President David Chung said the groundbreaking deal was a massive boost in the development of football throughout Papua New Guinea.
“This is a fine day for Papua New Guinea football and I extend my sincere thanks to Telikom PNG for their vision and support of senior football in our country.
It gives me great pleasure in announcing that the NSL will now be called the Telikom NSL Cup,” Chung declared.
During the launch, acting chief executive officer, Mr. Peter Loko said Telikom PNG
was delighted to sponsor and own the naming right of the National Soccer League competition.
“Football is the biggest sport in the world and Telikom PNG is happy to commit its support to the development of the National Soccer
League and local communities as part of its social and community responsibilities in Papua New Guinea,” Loko declared.
Chairman of the NSL board John Kapi Natto thanked and acknowledged Telikom PNG for their support.
John Kapi Natto said five franchise teams from the inaugural competition last year (PRK Souths United FC, Gelle Hills FC, WFD Momads, AK Madang Fox
and Blue Kumuls) would be joined by two new franchises in this year’s competition. He said Telikom PNG support for the NSL had
helped boost the growing competition and enabled the as yet unnamed franchises the opportunity to participate.
“There was no naming right owner of the competition last year as it was very new”, John Kapi Natto, “the main aim of the NSL is to
take the level of football in the country to new heights and Telikom PNG’s involvement is proof that football is heading in the right direction.”
John Kapi Natto (pictured above, far right) assured Telikom PNG that through owning the naming right of the NSL competition Telikom PNG will
have a good market share and exposure throughout the country.
Last season’s champions – PRK Souths – lost out in a play-off against University FC for a berth at the 2008 OFC O-League Preliminary competition in New
Caledonia earlier this year.
University FC were unable to halt the progress of Vanuatu champions Tafea FC, losing out to David Chilia and his team convincingly after a narrow loss to JS Baco
of New Caledonia.
However, the allure of a possible qualifying berth in the O-League is considered a strogn incentive for Papua New Guinea Telikom NSL Cup clubs after
the absence of the international team at the XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007.
Matches in the Telikom NSL Cup kick-off on November 3rd, 2007.