The Lae City FC and Papua New Guinea national team defender Alwin Komolong recently underwent a knee surgery in Qatar, by the hands of Dr. Emmanouil Papakostas, a Greek surgeon with vast experience in sports. The player had been battling with an injury in his knee in the past months and needed a surgery in order to fully recover.
Last year, Komolong helped the Kapuls to win the MSG Prime Minister Cup in Port Vila, Vanuatu and earlier this year was one of the responsibles for the PNG National Soccer League title of his Lae City FC. The strong-defender sustained the injury in his knee that unfortunately forced him to undergo surgery overseas.
The player needed to start a fundraising to collet all money necessary for his treatment; the issue raised a big debate around PNG sports’ community, showing the lack of healthcare for athletes – Komolong needed to organise it all by himself. The defender succesfully achieved his first goal to travel to Qatar to have his surgery that happened this week. “Surgery went very well. Spent the night in Hospital. Upon my checkup with the doctor and physio who will begin drawing up plans for rehabilitation and I will be discharged“, said the player in a social media post.
The player major goal for him is to finish his rehab and return to football actions, as he aims to captain Papua New Guinea team in the upcoming Pacific Games to be played still this year in Honiara, Solomon Islands – “Road to Recovery for Pacific Games 2023 begins now“, stated Komolong.
Oceania Football Center 