Port Vila / Sunday 12 March 2023 – A partnership approach to the coming OFC Champions League 2023 has been agreed on by OFC and the VFF appointed Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in their inaugural meeting at the VFF Haus in Port Vila today.
Head of OFC Competition Department Chirs Kemp, and Head of OFC Media Department Kieth Woodmass arrived in to Port Vila on Saturday to commence preparations toward hosting the OFC Champions League 2023 in Vanuatu in May.
“We want to establish a partnership approach to our organization of the Champions League, so that rather than OFC saying how they want things to be done, the organization would involve inputs from the hosts, so as to ensure that the participating teams and people coming to watch the games do enjoy a real Vanuatu culture and hospitality”, Mr. Kemp explained when speaking at the start of the meeting.
The concept was accepted and agreed on by the meeting, and LOC members commented that good experience have been acquired during the MSG Prime Ministers’ Cup tournament, which they believe would be useful in their collaborative efforts in organizing the OFC Champions League 2023.
The meeting also acknowledged the recent devastation of Vanuatu by tropical cyclones and New Zealand by massive flooding; And agreed to work on an approach to help bring the smiles back to the people.
Mr, Kemp conveyed OFC’s sympathy to VFF and the government and people of Vanuatu for the disaster brought on by two tropical cyclones last week.
Mr. Kemp and Mr. Woodmass are here in Vanuatu to inspect the local facilities that are required from the hosting country, to ensure or enhance a safe, secured and enjoyable tournament, both by the competing teams and the local football fans and audience.
They will be visiting the football grounds already chosen by VFF for matches and training by the teams, in Port Vila and Luganville. They are also checking out those hotel accommodations in the two towns that are being recommended for OFC officials, referees and visiting teams to chose to stay in the duration of the tournament.
LOC are also working on the two official to meet the Minister of Sports and Youth Development during their stay in the country.
