Proposed Wantok Cup looks gloomy (original) (raw)

SOLOMON Islands is the only country that have confirmed its participation for the 2010 Melanesian Cup Championship which will be held on the 31st July in Vanuatu.

Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and Fiji are the three countries that are yet to confirm their participation in the upcoming Melanesian Cup also branded as the Wantok Cup.

After a meeting held by the heads of the Melanesian Spearhead Group recently they have agreed that the Melanesian Cup should be revived with more government support.

According to Solomon Islands Football Federation Secretary General Eddie Ngava he said they have just received a letter from the MSG Secretariat through the Ministry of Home Affairs about the outcome of the meeting but the decision rests on the host country.

Hosts Vanuatu are also yet to confirm their willingness to host the tournament whilst the other countries have declined to take part because of other international football commitments.

“The other countries will not participate because of the timing of the Melanesian Cup”.

“Fiji football will not be able to attend because as they would be busy with other football tournaments during that time and also concentrate on the OFC Futsal Championships. PNG and New Caledonia on the other hand are also occupied by other football programs”, Ngava said.

The Melanesian Cup is scheduled to kickoff on the 31st July which coincides with Vanuatu’s Independence.

If Vanuatu agrees to host the tournament then it is likely that the Wantok Cup will only feature Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

By CARLOS ARUAFU

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