The PNG Football Association has come under heavy criticism from Hekari United Franchise owner, John Kapi Natto.
This comes after the creation of an Electoral Code, governing the compliance of local associations affiliated with PNGFA.
Kapi Natto, who is a PNGFA Presidential candidate, has also expressed disgust, at what he deems, is interference from the Oceania Football Confederation.
Elections done at FIFA level, follow democratic processes, the elections of a new president per se, following a rough pyramidical structure, in which presidents of associations, vote the president for the national body.
Kapi Natto’s argument stems from an electoral code committee established to vet all members within the PNG Football Association, ensuring primarily that they are eligible to attend PNGFA meetings, and have voting powers.
Previously in the year, PNGFA general secretary, Dimirit Mileng, had stated that the policies set out by the national body, were to ensure compliance to FIFAs strict standards.
Kapi Natto feels however, that the timing of the announcement of the committee, is dubious, with PNGFA’s General congress, an AGM in which the election of a new president and PNGFA executives may be discussed, and which will be held in December, is a ruse by current president David Chung, to maintain his hold on his position- as head of PNG football.
In response, Secretary for the Oceania Football Confederation, Tai Nicholas, that in accordance with FIFA, OFC Statutes and PNGFA Statutes, The bodies and officials must observe the statutes, regulations, decisions and code of ethics of PNGFA, OFC and FIFA in their activities.
Nicholas has further advised for Kapi Natto to respect the directives given by the PNGFA or OFC or FIFA in relation to the election process leading up to the elections of PNGFA on 28 December 2016.
Kapi Natto, however, feels that interference in domestic affairs by the OFC, is uncalled for, and some, within footballs echelon in PNG feel, that Kapi Natto has a point.
This is not the first instance in which John Kapi Natto has raised issues against the current PNGFA executives, and he certainly isn’t the first, and while all eyes currently on the looming deadline to the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, three and a half weeks away, PNGFAs general congress has been set for December in Kimbe, and by then, things may come to a head.
