CPNG pays tribute to Leka

CRICKET Papua New Guinea (CPNG) paid tribute to former national captain Api Leka who passed away on July 6.
Leka’s body was taken to the home of PNG cricket, Amini Park, yesterday by current PNG Barramundis players as CPNG and the cricket fraternity took time to farewell a great player, captain, coach and stalwart of the game.
CPNG board representative Philip Allan said Leka led the national side to its highest world ranking when he captained the team to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy Tournament in Birmingham, England, in 1982.
“It’s clear that, that tournament in 1982 was a very important moment of the development cricket in PNG in history,” Allan said.
“That performance in the tournament saw them finish third. PNG reached its highest ranking in the ICC world rankings following that.
“That ranking was only recently beaten by the current Barramundis team with their qualification to the ICC T20 World Cup.
“So it’s clear that late Api was one of the founding fathers of cricket in PNG and he’ll be a great loss to all of us.
“On behalf of Cricket PNG, I would like to express our deepest condolences to his friends and families for this loss.”
Another former PNG representative who later became captain Taunao Vai described late Api as one of the best players that ever played the game in PNG.