League player dead

DIGICEL Cup forward Steward Nomi died last Saturday from meningitis.
The 21-year-old back-rower, who played for the Port Moresby Vipers from last season, tragically lost his battle with the disease after suffering for several weeks.
Described by club officials as a “fine ambassador” Nomi from Yombi Village, Imbonggu, Southern Highlands, was a month shy of his 22nd birthday.
Nomi, pictured,was born on Nov 22, 1994, and after finishing high school (Grade 9) at Lae Secondary in 2009, he completed his senior high school at Abergowrie College in Queensland.
In 2013, Nomi made the Queensland schoolboys side, playing alongside fellow Papua New Guinean Richard Pandia, who currently plays for Ipswich Jets in the Intrust Super Cup.
Nomi returned home and was recruited by the Lae Tigers in 2014 but decided to return to Port Moresby to attend the University of PNG.
While playing for Paga Panthers in the Port Moresby Rugby League competition, he was drafted into the Vipers side midway through the season and quickly became a permanent fixture in the city side owing to his size (182cm, 112kg) and ability. Nomi had the potential to be a representative player and he put in several impressive performances during the season, none more so eye-catching then his two-try in the season opener against the Gulf Isapea which earned him the man-of-the-match award.
The Port Moresby Vipers board, team management and players visited the hauskrai (wake) on Taurama Road, Vadavada, last night to pay their respects.