It is unfortunate the PNG National Men’s Youth U19 team could not travel out of Fiji on Sunday to Auckland, New Zealand enroute into Tahiti. PNGFA President John Kapi Natto, when informed of the situation was very disappointed and has been in contact with the team in Fiji and been communicating with OFC management to help resolve the issue. Mr. Natto after enquiring on the situation was informed that the main reason for not allowing the team to travel to New Zealand was because the PNG National Youth Team did not obtain an entry visa to enter Tahiti. However, the Assistant to the Head of Office in Papeete Mareva Beaugrard in a letter to all the teams dated June 30th, 2022, has exempted entry visa for all 10 participating countries, travelling into French Polynesia for a three months per six months period. This exemption allows the other countries to travel into Tahiti for the tournament. Unfortunately, there was a misunderstanding between the Air New Zealand staff in Nadi Fiji and hence, did not allow the PNG team to board the flight to New Zealand. Mr. Natto could not understand why the other countries were allowed to travel into Tahiti through New Zealand with the entry visa exemption notice, while PNG Team was denied by Air New Zealand. However, he has confirmed that the team is been looked after well in Fiji and PNGFA is working very closely with OFC, and Air New Zealand and the Travel Agents to sort the misunderstanding and accept the team to travel. Attempt to contact the Air New Zealand office in Nadi Fiji was unsuccessful and not helpful. OFC management has stepped in and have assisted the team and we are adamant that a positive outcome will be reached soon, and the team shall travel. PNGFA confirm the team have been accommodated in a hotel in Nadi Fiji. As soon as Air New Zealand have a response, the team will travel. OFC and PNGFA are now trying to establish the root-cause of the whole issue why the PNG Men’s Youth Team has gone through such a nightmare. Mr Natto said this is the second incident the team were denied entry into New Zealand as such situation. The last time similar incident has happened was several years ago when PNG national women’s team was denied entry into New Zealand and also non-participation by PNG men’s team in the 2007 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa when PNGFA failed to meet the Justification Requirements by PNG Olympic Committee where to send an Under 23 men’s team.