Left-Right: Johannes Dame (Technical Director), Jack Kirewo (Secretary), Buddy Mitau (Vice President), Nelson Kopunye (President), Robin Taleng (Technical Manager), and Geoffrey Agum (Treasurer).
The National Capital District (NCD) Touch Board has appointed Nelson Kopunye as its new President for the 2025 season. Previously, the competition was called Capital Touch, but it has changed its name to NCD Touch.
Kopunye, a lawyer by profession and Principal of Kopunye Lawyers is no stranger to NCD Touch, as he has been involved in the code for over five years, serving in various capacities before being elevated to the top post.
The Jiwaka man said he was grateful and honored for the opportunity given to head the NCD Touch in 2025, and looks forward to performing to the best of his ability, with the support of his executives.
“I am humbled to be appointed as the President of NCD Touch,” Kopunye expressed.
“Touch football has a strong place in our sporting codes in the country, with children playing touch at various age categories in schools and in the villages.
“The 6-aside and 7-aside touch competitions have seen a lot of interest and growth in the urban areas in recent years, and I look forward to working with my executives at NCD Touch to put in place a professional and friendly competition for our residents in NCD.”
President Kopunye and his executives have outlined some of the events they would roll out in 2025, aspiring to lift the standard of touch footy in Port Moresby and producing quality players to represent PNG in the international arena.
Mr. Kopunye has faith and confidence in his board to deliver or implement the programs of NCD Touch in 2025, aiming to elevate the competition and make it a family-oriented sport in the nation’s capital.
Meanwhile, the NCD Touch competition will start its preseason on February 23rd, with three rounds to be played, followed by the 2025 season launching on March 12th, and the season proper commences on March 16th.
All the games will be played at Apex Park for an indefinite period before the venue is switched to the Sir John Guise Stadium, with the games scheduled on Wednesdays and Sundays, and the competition is expected to run for three or four months.
A minimum of at least ten teams are expected to be fielded in the open division, mixed and masters divisions, as well as the U18 and U16 categories.
Interestingly, the NCD School competition (U13 & U10 divisions) will also run alongside the NCD Touch competition.
The registration fee for each club is K4,000 (it covers every division mentioned), with the money collected to cover the players’ insurance and other expenses involved in running the competition.
With everything finalized, President Kopunye and his team of like-minded executives are excited and look forward to starting the 2025 NCD Touch competition on March 16th.
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