Bougainville junior soccer side heads to Australian carnival
Updated
Papua New Guinea's autonomous region of Bougainville's under 11 boys and girls junior soccer squads will compete at the Cairns District Soccer Carnival, September 19, in Australia.
Bougainville Soccer Federation vice president Joseph Maneke told Radio Australia Sport it will be an eye opener for the young players, who were born around 1988 when riots and bloodshed between landowners and miners led PNG's government to send in security forces.
Mr Maneke says the 18 boys and 17 girls have overcome a lack of facilities and equipment, as the region rebuilt after the crisis.
"We're really excited because the young kids, it's their first time to travel out of Bougainville and they are very excited to see Cairns as they haven't been outside since the Bougainville crises," he said.
