Gurias boss passes away

Sports

PAPUA New Guinea Rugby Football (PNGRFL) chairman Sandis Tsaka has described the late John Nightingale as a “selfless, generous and passionate rugby league supporter” in the country.
The Agmark Rabaul Gurias founder and chairman passed away at Lismore Hospital in New South Wales, Australia, at 10.30am yesterday after battling cancer for the past six months, he said.
“He was a selfless, generous and passionate rugby League supporter,” Tsaka told The National last night. “He contributed immensely not only to the Gurias but at all levels of rugby league in the country.
“The game will be greatly indebted to him. He made so many friends through rugby league. He has left behind a legacy and rugby league is better today because of his invaluable contribution to the game.”
Tsaka said it was a sad day for the sport “in PNG, and East New Britain and the New Guinea Islands in particular”.
“On behalf of the PNGRFL board, chief executive Reatau Rau and staff, PNG National Rugby League Competition chairman Adrian Chow and manager Stanley Hondina, all Digicel Cup franchises, PNG LNG Kumul coach Michael Marum, sponsors, partners, officials, players and our rugby league families in the country and abroad, I extend our deepest and sincere condolences to wife Derrie Nightingale and children James, Steven and Nemika and their families on the loss of your husband, father, grandfather and ‘Papa Guria’ John Nightingale,” he said.
“May he rest in eternal peace.”
Tsaka said details of funeral arrangements would be made known after consultation with the family.