JAYAPURA - Hekari United FC Team Manager, Vonnie Kapi Natto hopes that relations between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, will be more "friendly" through friendly football matches.

She wants the match between Hekari United FC and Papua Select, which is mostly strengthened by former Persipura Jayapura, to be the "entrance" for friendly matches with the Indonesian national team in the future.

"We plan to invite the Papuan team to compete in Port Moresby, next September 2023, on Papua New Guinea's Independence Day. Hopefully, this friendship will be closer and through football, this relationship can develop. If necessary, later the Indonesian national team can play with Papua New Guinea," explained Vonnie in Jayapura, Tuesday (15/8/2023).

The Hekari United FC men's and women's football teams arrived at the Skouw State Cross Border Post (PLBN), Jayapura City, Tuesday night. The Hekari United FC team was welcomed by the Acting Assistant Secretary of Papua for Economic Affairs and People's Welfare, Suzana Wanggai.

Assistant Suzana was also honored by the presence of the Papua New Guinea football team. Moreover, the presence of the Pacific region champion team, not only came to compete in football but also enlivened the 78th of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia.

"This is an honor, especially since they came to attend and enliven the Indonesian Independence Day.  Thus, we appeal to the people in Jayapura and its surroundings, to watch the friendly match between Indonesia Papua Select vs Hekari United FC (PNG) at Lukas Enembe Stadium, on August 18 and 19," she appealed.

The team of Papua Indonesia Select vs Hekari United FC Papua New Guinea, Elia Loupatty, ensures that preparations are 100 percent fixed. "Just play, the preparation is all good including the field, the lights and even the sound system," Elijah said.

Meanwhile, regarding the entrance ticket worth IDR100 thousand charged to spectators, Elijah continued, all of them will be used to pay operational costs for the use of the stadium and the surrounding area. In addition, to empower human resources seconded during the friendly match.

"There are hundreds of people involved so it needs to be empowered for cleanliness and safety.”

"In essence, the IDR 100,000 entrance ticket is to pay for things related to stadium rent and retribution. And because of that, I hope the public can understand," he concluded. ***