Team-mates join friends, family to farewell Nomi

THE body of late Steward Kendo Nomi was flown to Ialibu, Southern Highlands, via Mt Hagen yesterday morning.
The funeral service for the Port Moresby Vipers player was held at the Sioni Kami Memorial church on Tuesday.
In attendance at the funeral service were players from his local club, the  City Redbacks and teammates from his Digicel Cup franchise Vipers, including coach Glen Nami. Nomi’s close and extended relatives, including former Ialibu-Pangia MP Roy Yaki, were in attendance to pay their last respects to their son, brother, nephew and grandson.
Nami, who had the honour of both playing alongside Nomi last year and then coaching him this year, conveyed the club’s condolences to the family, friends and people of the Ialibu-Pangia and Imbonggu districts of Southern Highlands in a brief speech. Nami said he was shocked and saddened by Nomi’s passing, adding that the 22-year-old was headed for big things before his untimely passing last week from meningitis.
“We’re feeling pain and sorrow like everyone else here of Steward’s death,” Nami said. “We have all lost a rising young star not only rugby league but also in his tribe, where he would have been a great influence.
“Steward was my teammate last year and when I became the coach this year, I saw great potential in him. For me, my players and supporters, Steward’s death was heart breaking.
“We will remember him as a powerful player on the field who had an impact and was one of their rising stars. We salute Steward.”