Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) has announced its support for the Panguna Metals Football Club.
The sponsorship will provide up to K20,000 towards the costs of sporting equipment, transportation and accommodation as the team pushes for success in regional and national tournaments.
Founded in 1998, Panguna Metals Football Club consists of players from the Panguna tailings area and Arawa.
Many of players are part of Bougainville’s ‘lost generation’ – the people who missed an education because of the crisis.
The team trains on the sands of the tailings and has developed a reputation for its committed, winning mentality.
Panguna Metals has seen a lot of on-field success in its short history. Its first major honour came in 2005 when it won at the ABG Peace & Reconciliation Games in Arawa.
In 2011, Panguna Metals was selected to represent Bougainville at the Besta FA Cup, Papua New Guinea’s most prestigious cup competition.
Panguna Metals Football Club won the PNG Islands regional qualifier and progressed to the final stages held in Lae.
After winning their quarterfinal matchup Panguna Metals Football Club suffered a narrow 2-1 to defeat to the home team, Lae, in the semi-final and finished the tournament ranked third.
Their success has cemented their place in the upper echelon of Bougainville and Papua New Guinea football.