Football development and creating opportunities for young players remain key priorities for the Eastern Papua Community (EPC), as organisers look to build on the growing standard of competition.

Tournament Director Taku Niebo says the quality of football has improved over the years, with more teams now participating and players bringing experience gained from organised town competitions.

He says the improvement is noticeable among clubs whose players regularly compete in established competitions, although some teams travelling from their home communities still face challenges matching the playing standards of town-based clubs.

Mr. Niebo says the EPC tournament provides an opportunity for players to test their abilities, gain experience and improve their performance against different teams.

However, he believes developing football talent must begin at an early age, which is why the executive introduced a children's competition in 2004.

He says the junior competition is an important pathway for children who are interested in football, giving them an opportunity to develop their skills and potentially progress into senior competitions.

Drawing from his own experience of arriving in Port Moresby at the age of 17, Mr Niebo says sporting platforms can play an important role in providing young people with opportunities and a sense of belonging.

He says expanding the children's competition and strengthening the overall football development program will require commitment and resources from the organising committee. 

Meanwhile, the 2026 tournament, which began on October 10, has attracted approximately 56 teams across the men's and women's divisions. The round-robin stage is expected to conclude next weekend, with the men's division scheduled to begin its knockout matches, while the women's division continues its round-robin fixtures.

The competition suffered a tragic setback last weekend following the death of one of its players during play, resulting in the cancellation of the remaining matches for that weekend.

Despite the challenges, the tournament continues as organisers work towards providing a stronger platform for both current players and future football talent.