By Rositta Liosi – EM TV Online
The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will run over 20 days in November 2016. The sporting event will bring around 1,000 players and officials to Papua New Guinea, as well as spectators.
The government has assured that it will show its support by injecting K10 million to assist in staging the event as part of their contribution to kick start preparations.
A further K2 million was put forward by the National Gaming Control Board, which will be put towards preparing the local women’s football team for the upcoming event.
The funds were a commitment by Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, to support the PNG U20 women’s soccer team’s preparations for next year.
PNG Football Association President, David Chung, said a further K24 million (US$12 million) would be provided by FIFA to cover the operational costs for visiting teams, adding that this money would also benefit schools in the country from its legacy program.
Chung said 17 primary and secondary schools in NCD had been identified as training venues for the visiting teams. The schools’ facilities, which include change rooms, toilets and playing surfaces, will be upgraded to meet FIFA requirements.
Additional benefits would include workshops conducted by FIFA and other stakeholders on managing stadiums, turf management, protocol, security and others. This will ensure the visiting teams are taken care of for the duration of the tournament.
