CELEBRATING THE SPIRIT OF MELANESIA THROUGH FOOTBALL

BY LETHISA KOLOKOL

IN the true spirit of Melanesia, the Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) President, who is also the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) president and the FIFA vice president, Mr. Lambert Matlock is in Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby) to witness the fourth edition of the men’s and the first edition of the women’s Melanesian Spearhead Group Prime Minister’s Cup 2025, that is currently underway and will conclude on the 22nd of this month.

The OFC President today met with the 2025 MSG Prime Minster’s Cup Host Organising Committee (HOC) Chairman, Mr. Leonard Louma, PNG Football Association president, Mr. John Kapi Natto, accompanied by the HOC Committee, legal advisor, at the Sir John Guise Stadium.

PNG Football Association President Mr. John Kapi Natto officially welcomed OFC president to PNG on behalf of the PNG football fraternity, to witness the FIFA sanctioned MSG Prime Minsters cup.

“Your presence here also marks the 50 years anniversary for PNG and for you to come and stay with us, i think it’s an honour at your level of calibre at the OFC and FIFA” Kapi Natto said.

The PNGFA president echoed the sentiments Prime Minster James Marape said during the launch of the MSG cup, that the MSG cup is more than just a tournament, it is about building relationships between the Melanesian countries.

OFC President Mr. Lambert Matlock shared that it is a very special moment for him to be here in Papua New Guinea, thanking the PNGFA president and the MSG HOC chairman for a warm welcome and their hospitality.

“I am very humbled and delighted to be here with you to celebration of the 50th anniversary of the independence of PNG” he said.

He recalled back in September 1976 when PNG celebrated its first independence, he was in the Philippines and join his Papua New Guinean friends in celebrating this milestone celebrated.

He is especially proud to be here in Papua New Guinea in celebrating the 50th anniversary.

On behalf of the OFC, the FIFA and the Vanuatu Football fraternity, Mr Matlock congratulated PNG for its 50th year milestone.

In the fourth edition of the men’s and the first edition of the women’s MSG Prime Minster’s cup, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu including host country, PNG have fielded their men’s and women’s team to participate.
New Caledonia could not send their teams to participate.

However, in celebrating the true spirit of the Melanesian unity, the MSG HOC Chairman, Mr Leonard Louma said, the HOC will be organising for New Caledonia to send their 18 men team to play a friendly match, in this series before the closing of the tournament on the 22nd.