Topic: Soccer. Fans greeted teams at Port Moresby International Airport to make international players feel welcome. The country is hosting 15 teams and its national side is making its debut. PNG's first match against Brazil sold out, despite low expectations for the inexperienced squad. The visiting teams have also been surprised at the warmth of the welcome they have received in Port Moresby. Crowds of youths, organised by community leaders from Port Moresby's settlements and suburbs, greeted each team.
The waiting fans had learnt special, team-specific chants, and painted themselves in each country's national colours or worn traditional PNG costumes. Rose Agua, one of Port Moresby's female community leaders who helped organise the welcome parties, said it was a big effort to make sure the teams felt welcome.
First impressions are really important in this tournament, because PNG's hosting was in doubt late last year. The world football body — FIFA — feared Port Moresby's venues would not be ready on time and that they would not meet certain requirements. Organisers scaled down their plans, built smaller, "pop-up" stadiums instead, and managed to hang on to the tournament. Visiting players like New Zealand defender Meikayla Moore are not sure what to expect from the host nation.
Crowds of youths, organised by community leaders from Port Moresby's settlements and suburbs, greet players from the US. PNG's team has automatically qualified for the tournament because they are hosting. Its players have had little international experience, and most only came to the sport of football recently. PNG does not have a national women's league and lags behind many nations in female junior competition. National coach Lisa Cole is hoping the World Cup will help change that.
PNG was awarded the event in hopes it would boost women's sport in the country and empower women more generally. So, while the chances of on-field glory are low, PNG is really playing to change things for women at home and improve international perceptions of the country. If the players' smiles at the airport are any indication, the country has made a good start. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work.
