Sport: John Kapi Natto elected PNG Football President

9:51 am on 30 October 2018

The Papua New Guinea Football Association has elected former adversary John Kapi Natto as its new president.

New PNG Football Association John Kapi Natto and Vice President John Wesley Gonjuan.

New PNG Football Association John Kapi Natto and Vice President John Wesley Gonjuan. Photo: PNG Football Association

The Hekari United owner defeated acting president John Wesley Gonjuan by ten votes to eight at the PNGFA Congress in Port Moresby on Saturday.

Mr Kapi Natto is a former PNG Football Vice President who launched a breakaway football body, Football Federation PNG, in February last year after seven local associations were suspended by the PNG Football Association in 2016.

However in July he agreed to end the rival organisation following a request from world governing body FIFA.

John Kapi Natto launched a breakaway football body, Football Federation PNG in 2017.

John Kapi Natto launched a breakaway football body, Football Federation PNG in 2017. Photo: Facebook

Oceania Football Confederation President Lambert Maltock extended his congratulations to Kapi Natto and the newly elected executive committee, while also acknowledging the difficult road ahead.

"While news of your election will bring great joy and happiness to many football fans and leaders in PNG, I know you will be very aware of the huge responsibility ahead of you to restore the credibility and good image of football in Papua New Guinea," Maltock said.

"I look forward to collaborating with you and the new PNGFA executive committee to try and resolve the crisis which the association has been undergoing, and build Papua New Guinea football back up to the heights of its past."

Attendees at the PNGFA Congress including new president John Kapi Natto (Front 3L) and vice president John Wesley Gonjuan (Front 3R)

Attendees at the PNGFA Congress including new president John Kapi Natto (Front 3L) and vice president John Wesley Gonjuan (Front 3R) Photo: PNG Football Association

Maltock also acknowledged the work PNGFA Vice-President Gonjuan has done in the interim, following the resignation of former president David Chung earlier this year.

John Kapi Natto and the PNGFA Executive Committee will be in place for the remainder of the term which is due to finish in 2020.