The Vanuatu Daily Post – Port Vila:
The MSG Secretariat met with the Vanuatu Football Federation General Secretary Mr. Albert Manaroto as part of the wider consultations with the MSG members on Sports Corporation as mandated by the leaders.
The consultation was convened following a decision made during the 6th MSG Sports Council (MSC) meeting held in Kimbe, New West Britain, Papua New Guinea in September 12 – 14 last year 2018 directing the MSG Secretariat to support the revival of the Melanesian Soccer Cup.
During the consultation on Friday 8th February 2019 the Vanuatu Football Federation confirmed their strong support on the concept paper presented by the PNG sports team in the 6th MSC meeting in Kimbe. General Secretary VFF, Mr. Albert mentioned that, MSG has a large youth population and therefore it is in the best interest of MSG to recognize the need to establish sustainable sporting initiatives such as Football, Netball and other discipline to enhance the corporation and benefits to our people and communities.
Hosting such a tournament will contribute to the national economy of our member countries through strategic partnerships with national governments, private sectors and the wider communities.
The Director General of the MSG Secretariat, Ambassador Amena Yauvoli, while congratulating the Vanuatu Football Federation for their support reiterated the importance of sports as a development tool for our people and countries of Melanesia.
Ambassador Yauvoli, emphasized that the core purpose of this tournament is to strengthen our Melanesian cooperation and to enable both our men and women to come together in sport, build people to people relationships, strengthening Melanesian cultural values and provide integral human development for our people.
The MSG Secretariat will continue consultations with the rest of the National Football Federations in all MSG member countries to solidify the support for the proposed revival of the Melanesian Soccer Cup.