Touch eyes next year's world cup

Touch Football PNG release calendar

THE World Cup in Scotland next year is the major draw card targeted by the Touch Football PNG (TFPNG) as outlined in its 2010 calendar.

The touch body while releasing its calendar has set its sights on this year's provincial championships in Kokopo - the event that is propelled to bring out its best players for the World Cup.

Papua New Guinea has nominated to send four teams World Series; a Mens Open, Womens Open, Senior Mens and Senior Mixed Teams.

Two top performing referees will also be nominated to officiate during the World Cup.
TFPNG is expected to raise over K500, 000 to send four teams with players and officials to pay a levy fee of K2, 000 each.

The provincial tournament will be hosted by the East New Britain Touch Association with the event slated for July 11-13 anticipating participation from affiliates around the country who have been members to TFPNG for the last two years.

TFPNG president Joe Yore, while releasing its 2010 calendar said the championships will only be for affiliates who have been members to TFPNG over the last two years but those wishing to take part will be required to pay K1, 000 being for the two years affiliation fees.

"These affiliates will be eligible and qualified to participate at the provincial championships," Yore said.
"Players and officials to be traveling to Scotland for the 2011 World cup will be selected from the Provincial Championship," Yore further said.

 "Each team will have 14 players totally a contingent of 64 participants with the estimated cost at around K500, 000.00, with planned fund raising to start in 2010," Yore added.

Yore said the two key qualities the players for 2011 World Cup must possess are agility and speed and players who can score or assist in scoring anywhere on the field.

Already players identification program started last year and will continue during the affiliate's 2010 competition and the Kokopo Provincial championships.

For team management, coaches must be level three and two holders with a minimum of five years coaching experience.

While managers must have proven record of effective and discipline management of players and there will be one male and one female manager per team. 

Meanwhile TFPNG will also conduct its annual general meeting during the Kokopo Championships to appoint its Executive and Board members for the next three years.

For more information call the president on (675) 325 7293 or executive director Sesevi Lae on (675) 326 2179 or (675) 71029400.