After the conclusion of the Momase Qualifiers for the BESTA Cup recently in Madang, there is renewed hope that the region has much more to offer in terms of its level of football.
With teams from as far as Maprik and Ambunti taking part in the competition, and Passam earning a fourth-placed finish, Momase football is on the rise.
Lae Football Association and derby mates Lahi may have stolen the limelight with their semi-final showdowns respectively, as well as hosts Madang, but it was the lesser teams from Sandaun and East Sepik that garnered a lot of support.
Troy Gunemba, who captained the Lae side at the tournament, believes that Momase has more to offer to the upper competitions of PNG Football Association, including the National Soccer League.
Maprik, Passam, Wewak, Ambunti, Hulupu and Kairuru all made the trip to Madang’s Laiwaden and impressed along the way.
For some of the smaller associations, they believe the regional tournament was an important experience on the road to development.
While it may take a little longer yet until full development programs can extend to the further regions of PNG, the Momase region appears far better off than the rest of Papua New Guinea.
