Family members and supporters of the Lakatois were out in full force yesterday afternoon to welcome home the OFC Women’s Nations Cup champions at the Jackson International airport this afternoon.
With their flight touching down on the tarmac, one could see the excitement and anticipation on the faces of those that turned up to welcome home our local girls after a successful campaign of the pacific.
Led out onto the tarmac by a jubilant Papua New Guinea Football Association President, Mr. John Kapi Nato, emotions ran high as the lasses that left the country almost 3 weeks ago with only their ambitions at heart, returned home with that dream signed, sealed and delivered in the OFC Women’s Nations cup Trophy.
Present at the airport to receive them, PNGFA Executives and the General Secretary, Mr. Paius Letenge thanked all the family, friends and supporters that turned out last night to welcome back the brave women, commenting that it was keystone achievement for the ladies and the country as a whole.
“This is something special for football especially and we hope that moving on from today, we can contribute together and develop the code in the country,” the General Secretary remarked.
He also highlighted that yesterday marked a new era of football in the country and a new chapter has been written and that there is still more to be written.
Mr. Letenge congratulated and welcomed the Lakatois home and urged them to savour the moment, as they had deserved it
. “Go out, celebrate and absorb everything you need to absorb, but please do also share the experience that you gained in the tournament,” Letenge urged the girls.
The Lakatois are the only team that was undefeated in the tournament.