PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – Northern Kentucky University sophomore Alwin Komolong will represent his home country of Papua New Guinea this summer at the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
 
Komolong will make his first appearance on the senior national team this summer. He has represented Papua New Guinea at the youth levels, captaining the U-20 team during the 2014 Oceania Football Conference (OFC) Championships. Komolong also captained the U-17 team during the 2011 OFC Championships, scoring two goals in the tournament.
 
"I feel very honored to be selected for the upcoming Pacific Games," said Komolong. "This tournament is also being used as a U-23 qualifier for the 2016 Olympics, so if we win, PNG will get a trip to Brazil next year."
 
The Pacific Games occur once every four years. In 2011, the Papua New Guinea women's team won the gold medal in soccer, but the men's team did not medal. Komolong will look to lead the men's team to medal for the first time in the nation's history. The tournament begins on July 4.
 
"I feel playing at home in such a tournament will really heighten the nerves, but at the same time give us even more of an urge to win," said Komolong. "I'm hoping to gain valuable experience to learn from and improve my game."
 
Komolong started all 20 games for the Norse in 2014, notching one assist throughout the season. He became a key figure in the central midfield, and was named a team captain despite being in his first year with the team. Komolong is hoping to learn from his experience this summer, and come back ready to excel for the Norse in 2015.
 
"Everything I take out of the tournament will improve my game, and also help my career at NKU," said Komolong. "I hope to come back to NKU as a better player, so that I can help the team go one step further in the Atlantic Sun Conference."