Papua New Guinea’s latest roll out of the FIFA Live Your Goals legacy programme has made its mark the West New Britain Province, celebrating football with over 400 girls from Kimbe on Saturday.
Girls from 10 different schools and one community flooded the field at Kimbe Academy in their pink shirts to take part in fun football activities and meet Susa, the official mascot of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. While some had played football most of their young lives and others enjoyed their first kick of the ball, the participants all had one thing in common, their love for the game.
Among the observers and parents was former PNG national football player Josephine Waiwai, who was proud to see her community experience the game she holds so close to her heart.
“For us as parents, it’s really a privilege to have this happening in Kimbe,” she said.
“In Kimbe we haven’t really seen children playing soccer, especially girls, and as parents we are honoured and privileged that Live Your Goals has come here,” she added.
“We started playing football later on in our life but watching these young girls having that opportunity at a young age is very special. They are privileged to learn football at an early age so in future they can play in the most competitive level in the international scene.”
At the end of the event, Waiwai thanked PNGFA and FIFA for bringing the Live Your Goals to Kimbe saying it had given the people of West New Britain the opportunity to help their girls take part in football at an early age so they can become very good soccer players in the future.
For the young participants, the football journey continues as they return home with new skills, new friends sharing the same passion, and new goals to work towards.
For more on Papua New Guinea football visit www.pngfootball.com.pg