Kapi Natto retains presidential seat
Papua New Guinea Football Association president John Kapi Natto has retained his high-level position following the association’s 20th Elective Congress in Port Moresby this week.
Kapi Natto was declared unopposed after the disqualification of another nominee for the presidential seat and Lae Football Association president Roy Kamen.
Voted in for a second term [2024-2028], Kapi Natto said he is looking forward to working with the four regional presidents including the newly elected Executive Committee [ExCo] members.
“It’s been a tradition of football every four years to come together for the elective congress. The last election took place in 2020, and we worked along with the previous EXCO members. We've tried our best to try and take football forward.”
“Unanimously they wanted me to retain the position again, so I raised my hand for another term…elected among other members to take office this term adds value with a lot of them having worked and or played football for PNG in the past,” he said.
Kapi Natto also clarified the legal processes that were taken against his potential competitor Mr Kamen as orders were directed from the Oceania Football Confederation office.
“The decision of integrity check is on the electoral committee as for me as president I had to stay out of it and not question Mr Kamen’s disqualification. In saying that, if we are referred to the OFC, we are expected to pay a certain fine or it goes in our records. At one point, I was waived for my actions, but I paid my dues.”
He said if directives are sent directly from OFC, there is nothing the national association can do especially during big events including the elective congress.
Meanwhile, the other Election Congress members voted included the regional presidents where Siegfried Beschel [Madang] and Morea Vavine [Koupa] retained their seats unopposed for the Northern and Southern regions.
The Highlands regional seat was won by Mt Hagen Football Association president Samuel Kini following a 9-8 vote between him and another member association president David Ruddy Yambu.
Similar stance New Guinea Islands had three nominees for the role with Maha Waname [Kimbe] claiming the position by 8 votes over Justin Helele [Bougainville] by 6 votes and Jack Changau by 3 votes.
Ordinary members [Exco] voted in included Otto Kusunan [Wau-Northern], Joshua Kaiankim [Tabubil-Southern], Tony Omal [NBPOL-NGI], and Bak Sure [Mendi-Highlands]. A new women’s rep was also voted in with former PNG women's football rep Cathy Agunam as the only female rep for the next four years.
“It’s great to see former footballers also elected to office for this term in the likes of Samuel Kini [Highlands VP], Otto Kusunan as well our new women rep Cathy Agunam.”
“Bringing their playing experience on board will provide thoughts all aligning to football among many other things,” Kapi Natto added.