Rugby league director Kaupa passes on

PAPUA New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) board director for Northern Confederate Russ Kaupa, pictured, died yesterday.
PNGRFL chairman Sandis Tsaka said Kaupa, aged 63, passed away in Lae early yesterday morning after a long illness.
Tsaka said Kaupa’s contribution and leadership to rugby league in the country was “outstanding”.
“Russ Kaupa was involved with the game as a player, official and administrator both at local and national levels for more than four decades,” Tsaka said.
He said Kaupa had been a director of the new PNGRFL board representing the Northern Confederate since its establishment in 2013.
“His contribution and dedicated service to bring the game to where it is today has been invaluable and outstanding,” Tsaka said.
“We will miss his wisdom and guidance at the board level as well as his personality and friendship with everyone he came across.
“On behalf of his fellow board directors, chief executive officer Reatau Rau and staff, national coach Michael Marum and all officials and players and our Rugby League family in Northern Confederate and throughout PNG, I express our sincere condolences to his immediate family and relatives and pray that God will grant them comfort during this time of mourning,” he said.
Funeral arrangements will be advised as soon as they are finalised with the family.