Kleiton, 12, wants to be a rugby player, businessman

By ZARA KANU LEBO
AT just 12, Kleiton Tomilesi-Knight already knows what he wants in life – to be a rugby player and a businessman.
“I’m thinking of becoming a rugby player and playing for the PNG Kumuls one day. But I will also be a businessman at the same time, maybe own a restaurant or a café, so I can make more money while playing rugby. And I will have something to fall back on after I retire from rugby.”
Kleiton who has blood ties to Tufi in Oro, Gabagaba in Central and Misima in Milne Bay, is a Grade Six student at the Gordon International School. He is the eldest in a family of four. His siblings are Kieran who is nine, Christlyn is six and David is four.
Kleiton was brought up by his grandparents Richard and Nancy Knight, after his late father David Knight passed away. They have become his adoptive parents.
He was into basketball but now rugby appeals more to him.
“I was once in a basketball club, but now my grandmother is trying to get me into a rugby club because we are moving to Brisbane.
“My grandmother is a diehard Broncos fan. So my grandfather is trying to get a membership with the Brisbane Broncos club. He will try to get me into the Under-13 rugby programme they have.
“That’s the plan for now. One of my dreams is to represent my country and play for the PNG Kumuls.”
In his spare time, he loves to cook, bake and play musical instruments.
“I can play the drums, keyboard and clarinet. But mostly in my spare time, I play board games such as monopoly, chess or checkers with my friends at Sky View (in Port Moresby) where we are currently living.”

“ I’m thinking of becoming a rugby player for the PNG Kumuls one day. But I will also be a businessman at the same time, maybe own a restaurant or a café, so I can make more money while being a rugby player.”

At school, Kleiton is a leader.
“I have a leadership role as the class captain. I try to be fair to all my friends, but as a leader, I also have to display discipline by not breaking the rules at school.”
Because of his love for cooking, he is a fan of local chef Julz Henao.
“Watching him cook inspires me to try out cooking and becoming a chef. That’s the line of business I am interested in.”
Some of his family members have already made their names on the local business scene, and Kleiton wants to follow in their footsteps.
“Many of my family members own businesses. That made me think like I want to be a businessman too.”
Kleiton was with an uncle at a recent POM City Markets held at the Waterfront Esplanade when he requested that a picture of him be taken with chef Julz to be published in this newspaper.
“When I saw your cameraman, I thought of asking him to take a picture of me with the chef. I’m a fan of chef Henao because of his great cooking. My favorite is the chicken curry dishes. Taking a picture with a famous person makes me feel very lucky.”
Kleiton’s confidence and sense of humour stand out the most. He is articulate when explaining his plans, his family and education.
He quotes from the Bible when asked if he has any advice for his peers and friends.
“My advice is from the Bible, in Proverbs 29:18. It says that where there is no vision, people perish. But he who keepeth the law, happy is he.
“I started dreaming when I was younger, planning for the future because that’s what our country needs right now – good leaders. That is what I want to say to my friends.”