MOUKELE Beach Soccer Association has concluded their season on a high note following their second year of competition on Fisherman Island outside of Port Moresby.

President Joel Keimelo said the competition fielded six soccer clubs in their inaugural season and continued into this season;

These clubs include inaugural champions Blessings SC, Waikiki, Rapurulu, First Time, Arigo and 2024 champions Kekei SC.

“We call this season ‘the year of history makers’ from the Moukele from Moukele Beach Soccer Association and we’re thankful to PNG Football Association president John Kapi-Natto and his team for choosing our island to be the pilot project of beach soccer.”

Keimelo said the standard of their game has risen after PNGFA sent a team from the local association to represent PNG in the 2024 OFC Beach Soccer Mens Nations Cup in Solomon Islands.

Their performance stunned the football community when they scored the fastest goal in international beach soccer history and defeated Fiji 8-6 on debut.

“This year has been a very successful year because of PNG Paewas (Sharks) participation in the OFC tournament in Honiara and coming back with heaps of experience gained at an international level has help lift the standards of our game back home. The level of the game has grown.

“We are looking to expand and introduce the children as well so that they can also go to school and play this sport.”

“We thank God, PNGFA and especially the Futsal/Beach Soccer Technical officer Tonga Esira who has been really supportive when the pilot project was implemented, that’s the way we should be working together with PNGFA and any association that’s interested in growing this code,” he added.

He said the blue print has been set and urged other member associations to be familiarized with this different style of football to increase interest.

“We’d also like to extend our gratitude to the NCDFA president Vonnie Kapi-Natto who allowed us to bring our 11s teams to compete in the annual competition in Port Moresby and gain more exposure; without her encouragement we wouldn’t be where we are today,” he added.