OTML invests K1 million to kick-start school football and youth leagues in Papua New Guinea

A major boost for youth football in Papua New Guinea was announced this week, with Ok Tedi Mining Limited [OTML] committing K1 million to support grassroots development programs led by the Papua New Guinea Football Association [PNGFA].

The funding will support the launch of a national school soccer competition and the establishment of youth leagues, aimed at nurturing football talent from an early age.

PNGFA president John Kapi Natto praised OTML for its generous backing, calling the partnership a “game changer” for football in the country.

At a recent cheque presentation in Port Moresby, OTML Director and CEO Kedi Ilimbit highlighted the strategic importance of building a talent pipeline to feed into higher levels of competition, including the planned Oceania Professional League, which will debut in 2026.

"I am genuinely impressed by PNGFA's comprehensive plan to identify and cultivate talent early on. By instituting a structured competition in schools, we are instilling a passion for the game and equipping the next generation for a promising future in football," Ilimbit said.

Under the initiative, children as young as five will be introduced to futsal, progressing through school competitions and national youth leagues before potentially joining the Premier Soccer League and, eventually, the Oceania Professional League.

The sponsorship will be distributed across key areas where K150,000 will be used to launch the school competition, K100,000 to develop youth leagues in Northern and Southern regions, and K50,000 for media, branding, and promotion.

PNGFA’s technical and development teams will implement the program across four regions in Southern, Northern, New Guinea Islands, and the Highlands. Schools will be empowered to run local competitions, with sports teachers receiving training in coaching, refereeing, and event management to ensure sustainability.

Kappi Natto said this partnership between PNGFA and OTML is a critical step in strengthening the grassroots and youth systems.

As part of the agreement, OTML will receive exclusive naming rights for competitions, visibility at venues, and the opportunity to run awareness programs during events. Competition staff will also wear OTML-branded uniforms.

With this initiative, PNGFA aims to create a lasting impact on youth participation, coaching development, and football infrastructure across the country.