Vanuatu’s football future has taken a significant leap forward this week with the historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Vanuatu Football Federation (VFF) and the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu. The agreement sets the foundation for the creation of the Vanuatu Professional League under the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) professional league system.

The signing ceremony was held at Warwick Le Lagoon in Port Vila, where Finance Minister Hon. Johnny Koanapo signed the MOU alongside VFF President Lambert Maltock.

Minister Koanapo expressed the government’s strong commitment to supporting the development of football in Vanuatu through this partnership.

“We maintain our persistence, love, and desire for soccer to take us to the next level by creating a professional league. For the first time in Oceania, the new government is fully committed to this,” Koanapo said.

He confirmed that the government is now in the budgeting process to allocate necessary resources and will present the contribution plan to Parliament in November this year.

“This agreement represents a great partnership that will create employment opportunities beyond seasonal work, fulfilling the long-held vision of our leaders and the aspirations of our young people,” Minister Koanapo added.