Mt Hagen Eagles mourning death of coach Noi Jr

By ELIAS LARI
EAGLES coach Billy Noi Jr passed away at the Mt Hagen Hospital on Friday after a short illness.
Confirming the 51-year-old’s passing, Eagles chairman Bob Pakindi described the Hanuabada villager, from the National Capital District, as a great loss to the Digicel Cup club and the people of Western Highlands.
He said former assistant coach Noi had recently been elevated to the position of head coach.
Pakindi said Noi was one of the best coaches and a rugby league iconic in the province.
“On behalf of the Eagles, I passed our condolences to the Noi family for the great loss,” he said.
“To replace Noi will take us some time.”
According to Noi’s mother, Irong, he was the eldest of five children.
She said Noi had now left behind three children and a wife.
Irong said Noi settled in Mt Hagen after graduating at Telikom in 1987.
“He committed 34 years to rugby league and had been wearing the Eagles jersey during that period,” she said.
Irong said Noi’s body would be laid to rest in Mt Hagen because he had spent almost his entire life in Western Highlands.
“He committed his life to promote rugby league and developed raw talents through his coaching skills to become some of country’s well-recognised players,” Irong said.
Noi started playing rugby league in 1987.
Noi’s family are mourning his death at their residence at Warakum’s Solo Gate in Mt Hagen.