The Ministry of Sports and Youth Development (MSYD) has welcomed the partnership approach by OFC and VFF in their preparations toward hosting the OFC Champions League 2023 in Vanuatu come the month of May.
OFC and VFF LOC members have met with the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Tomker Netfunei, and his newly appointed Director General Russel Tamata, Director Henry Tavoa and Mr. Andrew Norwo, First PA to the minister.
The meeting was organized as a courtesy for OFC and LOC members to inform the minister of the coming major OFC football event which brings together eight champion clubs from Oceania to meet in Vanuatu.
The minister was also informed of the new approach by OFC to work in partnership with VFF in organizing the OFC Champions League event; And the ministry was invited to be part of the partnership.
The economic benefits of the event and other major sporting and football competition events for Vanuatu. OFC’s Chris Kemp explains how OFC would be paying for all participating teams’ traveling, while the teams to pay for their own accommodations and other community engagements outside the official program.
“We want the visiting teams and those watching from around Oceania and abroad to see and feel the culture and the warm hospitality of the Vanuatu people”, Chris Kemp explained.
“We also hope and aim to organize the event so as to bring the smiles back to not only Vanuatu, but other parts of Oceania that have also suffered or affected by natural disasters”, Mr. Kemp said.
In response Minister Netfunei thanked OFC and VFF for their proactive approach and offer for the ministry of sports to be part of the process and preparations toward hosting the OFC championship program in Vanuatu. Mr. Netfunei said he would inform parliament of the event this week.
MSYD Director General Russel Tamata spoke of continuing the partnership beyond the OFC championship event. Mr. Tamata said it was important to see how the partnership enhance or support the ministry’s youth development program in the islands.
On his part, Director of MSYD, Mr. Henry Tavoa, based on the flooding experience of the VFF Fresh Water Field during the national champions league, suggested an idea of having Korman Stadium as a back up ground for the OFC championships, in case of another rainy weather condition in May.
“However, for your information Korman Stadium suffered some significant damage to its roofing and other parts of the grand stand”, Mr. Tavoa said.
“For the safety of the spectators, I don’t think the stand is safe af the moment”, he pointed out.
Both parties agree on the idea of a back up stadium, and to collaborate on the maintainance of the Korman Stadium facility before May.
