Ex-Hunter aims to stay in France

By PARKER TAMBUA
FORMER SP Hunter Nickson Borana is eyeing a contract extension with French Elite One club, Les Loup Villefranche, as his three-year deal ends at the end of the 2022 season.
The 25-year-old told The National yesterday that he had a memorable four years of playing rugby league in France.
Borana said despite the challenges, he had enjoyed his football and that he wanted to continue his career in France.
“I am enjoying the life here in France and the challenges, so I want to keep playing and live here,” said Borana, who is part Central and Chimbu.
“I will give my best this season and also talk to the club to try sort out a contract extension.
“It was at the end of 2018 that I arrived in France and joined my first club, Villeneuve Leopards. “I was with Leopards for one season before I joined my current club at the end of 2019 on a three-year contract.
“I love this club (Les Loup Villefranche), the players and coaching staff are like family.”
Borana said he had to go through many challenges when he first arrived in the country.
“It was daunting at first when I realised that I would be living and playing in a country that spoke their own language and not English,” he said.
“But the language was not the only barrier, I had to deal with differences in beliefs, religion, culture and the lifestyle.
“Some things that I accepted as the truth back in PNG were not the case here, so it was extremely tough but things got better as time went by.
“Now I can even speak French and understand it a little, but not like my countryman, Kuni Minga, who speaks fluently.”
Borana said one of the good things about living in France was that he got to travel to other countries in Europe.
“I don’t need a visa or other requirements to travel within Europe and that’s what I like about this place,” he said.
“Just last month, I visited Belgium and it was a great experience.”