The first stop on his trip was the bustling port town on Kimbe, the fastest growing city in the South Pacific, where he received a first-hand up date on the status of the Regional Technical Centre for the New Guinea Islands.
Construction of the Regional Technical Centre has been delayed but work is now progressing with the erection of the buildings, which include an administration office, storage areas, changing rooms and toilet facilities. Security fencing around the entire complex is also being put in place.
The establishment of the technical centre in Kimbe is seen as a major boost for the people of the region, as well as providing a tool to tackle social issues such as unemployment. The centre is expected to be completed by April and is being supervised by Papua New Guinea Junior Vice President Kurt Reimann.
Turner then moved on to capital city Port Moresby, where he carried out important work on the country’s other FIFA Goal Project, a technical centre to be located at the Sir John Guise Stadium complex.
Turner is working closely with the PNG Sports Foundation to finalise the lease and contract to construct the facility, which is set to include two international-sized football fields.
The project is a landmark one for the Papua New Guinea Football Association (PNGFA). It has taken many years to find land suitable for this vision of establishing a new football centre in the nation’s capital to become a reality.
The Goal Projects are an initiative by FIFA to help national associations around the world improve their facilities.
For more on Papua New Guinea football go to www.pngfootball.com.pg