The balls were given to VFF by OFC as part of its plan to develop football throughout the Pacific region.
They were handed over to representatives of Penama Football Association by VFF technical director Charles Vatu, who encouraged leaders and coaches across the island to allow children to use them to improve their skills and help make their football dreams come true.
“The balls are a generous donation from OFC to VFF with the intention of developing football in the region,” Vatu says.
“The balls don’t belong to anyone personally. They are for everybody in the local leagues to use to play football in local areas. Football cannot survive without a ball.”
The Penama Football Association is made up of three small islands – Pentecost, Ambae and Maewo – and the association’s headquarters are located at Saratamata on the east of Ambae Island.
Penama FA president Willie Leo, who is also a member of the VFF executive committee, says football is developing well in the province and that further support from VFF will help to increase the rate of progress.
“We have a total of 27 clubs registered in our association and we are happy so far with the development of football here,” he says. “Football is moving strongly in our province and we are very happy to see some of our players performing so well with clubs in Port Vila.”
“The only thing we want from VFF is for members of the technical department to come down to our islands and run coaching and refereeing courses.”
For more on Vanuatu football go to www.vanuafoot.vu