The stage is set, the teams have arrived and a world famous football superstar Christian Karembeu is on his way…
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U-12 Festival of Football will burst into life tomorrow morning with teams from New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea (x4), Solomon Islands and Vanuatu visiting Port Moresby schools as part of the tournament’s Cultural Day.
Visiting teams will take part in a cultural exchange involving language and craft activities with their hosts. The school children and their `adopted’ team will work together on signage for the tournament that will be brought to the Port Moresby Rugby League Stadium in a colourful display of peace, understanding and solidarity.
The Port Moresby schools involved with the OFC U-12 Festival of Football include Sacred Heart hosting Solomon Islands, Saint Theresa hosting Vanuatu, Wardstrip hosting New Caledonia and Port Moresby Grammar hosting New Zealand on Friday morning. Papua New Guinea’s four participating teams will be hosted by Ted Diro School, Bavaroko School, Coronation Primary School and Saint Francis School.
“The OFC U-12 Festival of Football is about making friends, learning about different cultures, creating a better understanding of the world our young people live in – all through the unifying power of football.
It is my sincere wish for the people of Papua New Guinea to embrace the value and principles of football and to see these through the joy of the children at this celebration of our youth,” OFC President Reynald Temarii said.
The arrival of FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League winner Christian Karembeu is certain to raise excitement levels amongst the children with the former Real Madrid and France international a big fan of OFC’s focus on South Pacific youth.
“I am from the South Pacific and understand the need for building cultural understanding in this part of the world. I am looking forward to meeting the people of Papua New Guinea and all the children participating in this wonderful event,” Karembeu said.
The Cultural Day opens the Festival of Football with the tournament starting on Wednesday 18th April, 2007 at 11:00am.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL MEDIA MUST GAIN ACCREDITATION FOR THE OFC U-12 FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL THROUGH THE APPROPRIATE CHANNELS.
NO MEDIA ACCESS PERMITTED AT SCHOOLS UNLESS BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT WITH OFC. CONTACT DETAILS BELOW.
Extra Info
TUESDAY 17th APRIL, 2007 -CULTURAL DAY
9:30am Saint Theresa School host Solomon Islands
Sacred Heart host Vanuatu
Wardstrip host New Caledonia
2:00pm Alliance Francaise Cultural Activities @ Port Moresby Holiday Inn
Film
Stands
Activities
3:00pm Arrival of Christian Karembeu
WEDNESDAY 18th APRIL, 2007 – OPENING CEREMONY
8:45am OFC U-12 FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL COMMENCES
OPENING CEREMONY AT PORT MORESBY RUGBY LEAGUE STADIUM
9:30am OFFICIAL WELCOME
OFC President/FIFA Vice-President REYNALD TEMARII
PNGFA President/OFC Senior Vice-President DAVID CHUNG
French Ambassador PATRICK BOURSIN
10:00am CULTURAL PERFORMANCES BY PARTICIPATING TEAMS
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea x4
Solomon Islands
Vanuatu
10:45am HOST SHOW
11:00am GAME 1
SOL vs. PNG 3 PNG 1 vs. VAN
11:30am PNG 2 vs. PNG 4 NCL vs. NZL
12:30pm LUNCH
PRESS CONFERENCE @ HOLIDAY INN, PORT MORESBY*
OFC President Reynald Temarii
PNGFA President David Chung
French Ambassador Patrick Boursin
FIFA Ambassador Christian Karembeu
FULL DETAILS TO BE CONFIRMED*
2:00pm GAME 2
SOL vs. PNG 1 PNG 3 vs. VAN
2:30pm PNG 2 vs. NCL PNG 4 vs. NZL
THURSDAY 19th APRIL – MATCH DAY 2
1:00pm GAME 3
SOL vs. VAN PNG 3 vs. PNG 1
1:30pm PNG 2 vs. NZL PNG 4 vs. NCL
2:15pm GAME 4
SOL vs. PNG 2 NZL vs. VAN
2:45pm PNG 3 vs. PNG 4 PNG 1 vs. NCL
3:15pm GAME 5
SOL vs. PNG 4 PNG 1 vs. NZL
3:45pm PNG 3 vs. NCL PNG 2 vs. VAN
FRIDAY 20th APRIL – MATCH DAY 3/AWARD CEREMONY
1:00pm GAME 6
SOL vs. NCL PNG 3 vs. NZL
1:30pm PNG 1 vs. PNG 2 PNG 4 vs. VAN
2:15pm GAME 7
SOL vs. NZL PNG 3 vs. PNG 2
2:45pm PNG 1 vs. PNG 4 NCL vs. VAN
3:15pm OFC U-12 FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL AWARDS CEREMONY
For further information please contact:
PAPUA NEW GUINEA MEDIA CONTACT DETAILS
Gordon Glen Watson
Media Officer
Oceania Football Confederation mobile +675 697 7707 email [email protected]
Holiday Inn Port Moresby phone +675 303 2000
Room Number 210 or 123