The Special Olympics Papua New Guinea Moni Plus Unified Football Competition 2026 will commence this Saturday at Sir John Guise Stadium, with 21 teams competing in a one-day tournament.

The competition will begin with preliminary matches before teams progress to the grand finals.

The 21 teams comprise 11 male teams and 10 female teams, divided into four pools, with two pools for each gender.

Last Saturday 5th September, the organizers held the divisioning round to assess and organise participants according to their age ranging from 10 to 21 and so their ability before placing the teams into their respective pools.

The competition is proudly sponsored by Moni Plus and organized by Special Olympics Papua New Guinea.

Unified Football is a modified form of soccer designed to allow athletes with intellectual disabilities and players without disabilities, known as Unified Partners, to compete together on the same team.

Each team will have seven players on the field and three reserves. Matches will be played over 20 minutes, consisting of two 10-minute halves.

Special Olympics Papua New Guinea Program Support Staff Eunice Wanjumoe said the sport brings together athletes and Unified Partners of similar age and skill levels to play alongside each other.

She said the format promotes social inclusion, teamwork and friendship while giving everyone an opportunity to participate and enjoy the game together.