Moukele Beach Soccer Association is unleashing more beach soccer talents who have the potential to represent PNG at any regional tournaments in the future.
Among these talents is an 18-year-old Gia-Loi David who proved his worth as a first-timer in PNG’s first beach soccer home on Fisherman Island.
“I started playing normal football, the 11-aside when I was just 14 and became interested in the duties of goalkeeping and have been playing in this position ever since,” David said.
David was named the Golden Glove recipient through the Waikiki Soccer Club recently following his performance in Moukele's second season. The season also wrapped up with Kekei SC claiming their first title.
“This year was the first time I took part in a beach soccer competition because last year, I was over in Lae, Morobe,” he said.
“This is a different type of football so when I started in the season, I was nervous but I was encouraged by the senior players to be confident and take the game as it was like a normal football match.”
Adding onto his achievements, David was also part of the Moukele FC U23 men's team who made their grand final appearance against the Hekari United FC during the NCD Football Association in Port Moresby.
“It was an added bonus for me, and I hope to reach my goals playing in this code,” the promising goalkeeper said.
Following PNG’s first appearance at the 2024 OFC Beach Soccer Championship in Honiara, Solomon Islands this year, David hopes to train extra hard and commit more to beach soccer so that he can also represent PNG (Paewas) in the future.
PC: Supplied
Comments