Knights plan more golf

 Reports by MALUM NALU

STATESMAN Sir Dadi Toka says Sir Michael Somare’s 80th birthday tomorrow, and his subsequent retirement from politics next year, means that the two friends can spend more time playing golf.

In an interview last month where the two were joined by Sir Reuben Taureka, Sir Dadi told The National that he wanted his friend to leave politics and be a free man. 

“I am happy that he has indicated that he will be retiring from politics,” Sir Dadi said.

“I want him to be a free man to join me on the golf course. The two of us have been playing golf together, both here and overseas.”

Sir Dadi, who turned 79 last month and who started his illustrious life as a simple teaboy at Government House, said he had known Sir Michael since the colonial days in Port Moresby.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people are expected to join Sir Michael tomorrow at his home in East Sepik to celebrate his birthday.

Many of his close associates, friends, relatives, political allies and fellow knights are arriving or have already arrived there.

From Lae, Sir Boyamo Sali is bringing gifts from a group of students from the Balol Teachers College for Sir Michael.

The gifts are mostly artefacts collected by the students from their districts in Morobe.