NATIONAL airline, Air Niugini has provided support for national men’s soccer captain Alwin Komolong, as he embarks on a transformative journey through the FIFA Player Ex-ecutive Program. This prestigious initiative prepares footballers for leadership roles within the sport’s global governance. Komolong, with over a decade of experience across Europe, Australia, and the Pacific, is the first Papua New Guinean selected for this program and the sole participant from Oceania and the Asia-Pacific region for 2024/2025. The program includes exclusive modules in Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles, and New York, offering direct engagement with FIFA officials and global stakeholders. In addition to his selection for the FIFA Player Executive Program, Komolong has been awarded a full scholarship for the FIFA Master in Sport Management, Law, and Humani-ties. This academic pursuit will commence in September, taking him across the UK, Italy, and Switzerland. Air Niugini is also facilitating part of Komolong’s travel logistics, covering flights between Port Moresby and Singapore, ensuring a smooth transition as he continues his journey and upon his return. Chief executive officer Gary Seddon said: “Air Niugini is committed to uplifting our na-tion through sports, providing opportunities for young Papua New Guineans to shine. “By supporting athletes like Alwin (Komolong), we invest in the youth, recognising that nurturing talent fosters confidence and a profound sense of purpose and national pride.” Komolong in response thanked Air Niugini for supporting his journey. “I want to shift from playing to leading and transforming football at a strategic level. My vision is to bring back global knowledge to improve our football, create international op-portunities for our athletes, and support grassroots development.”