𝗣𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗲𝗸𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗙𝗖 h𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 t𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 c𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, s𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 p𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 a𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗙𝗖 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳

Papua New Guinea Hekari Football Club held a press conference on Monday, August 24th, at its head office in Port Moresby, to thank four players and their local clubs for releasing the footballers to join Hekari in the 2026 OFC Professional League. 

In a media statement, the club acknowledged Raymond Gunemba, Kasum Gabriel, Shane Sakael, and Nabo Pongi for being part of Hekari’s inaugural season in the Pro League campaign.  

“PNG Hekari FC sincerely thanks Lae City Dwellers FC and Admiralty Islands FC for their professionalism and cooperation in releasing players to join our squad for the inaugural OFC Professional League season,” the statement read. 

“We acknowledge Lae City Dwellers FC for releasing Raymond Gunemba and Admiralty Islands FC for releasing Kasum Gabriel, Shane Sakael, and Nabo Pongi, whose contributions strengthened our campaign on the regional stage.

“We thank Lae City Dwellers FC and Admiralty Islands FC for their partnership and look forward to working together for the continued growth of football in Papua New Guinea.”

As part of the club’s commitment to transparent football administration, PNG Hekari FC fulfilled all agreed transfer obligations on 19 August 2026.

“A payment of PGK 5,000 was transferred to the Lae City Dwellers FC account for Raymond Gunemba, while PGK 15,000 was transferred to the Admiralty Islands FC account for Kasum Gabriel, Shane Sakael, and Nabo Pongi,” the club explained. 

“The declarations were signed by Peter Gunemba, head coach and owner of Lae City Dwellers FC, Mark Kelep, assistant team manager of Admiralty Islands FC, and PNG Hekari FC representatives general manager Wira Wama, and Mrs. Vonnie Kapi Natto, director of Hekari PNG Limited and club owner.” 

Meanwhile, PNG Hekari FC has been granted a license to compete again in the 2027 OFC Professional League season and will continue recruiting talented players from clubs across the PNG Premier Soccer League.

“The OFC Professional League is the biggest stage in Oceania, providing local players with the opportunity to compete alongside some of the region’s and the world’s best footballers,” the statement said. 

“It offers a valuable platform for Papua New Guinean players to showcase their talent, gain international exposure, and market themselves on the global stage.”