FIFA legacy programme rolls out in Kimbe

ON a journey to encourage the development of women’s football and promote the Federation of the International Football Associations Under-20 Women’s World Cup, Fifa’s Live Your Goals legacy programme made a stop on the weekend in Kimbe, West New Britain.
On hand to meet Susa, the U20 Women’s World Cup official mascot at the Kimbe Academy on Saturday, were 400 girls decked out in pink shirts.
The day was filled with a lot of fun activities, with no fewer than 10 schools and one community in Kimbe in attendance, some of whom had played football since a young age.
Others, were about to kick a ball for the first time in their lives.
All of them had one thing in common, the passion for the beautiful game of football.
Present at the event to watch their young girls take part were parents.
Among them was former football national player Josephine Waiwai, who represented PNG in football in the late 1980s.
“For us as parents, it’s really a privilege to have this happening in Kimbe. In Kimbe we haven’t really seen children playing soccer, especially girls, and as parents we are honoured and privileged that ‘Live Your Goals’ has come to Kimbe,” said Waiwai.
“Also as a former national player, I can say that we started playing football later on in our life but watching these young girls having that opportunity at a young age is special. They are privileged to be learning football at an early age so that in future, they can play at the most competitive level on the international scene.”