BY PATRICK LEVO
OLD George leaned against the tree, resting his troublesome knees. They creaked in places when he trotted, the price one pays from years of playing rugby in his youth.
The sun was hot last Friday in
Port Moresby. George forgot to bring a bottle of cold water, but never mind,
all around him, Papua New Guineans from all walks of life were gathered, each
in his and her own state of grief, water or no water. The grand hall of the
Reverend Sione Kami Memorial Church at 5 Mile was packed with mourners and
VIPs. There was no seat for George. The crook of the neem tree was better than
nothing.
George looked ash in his whites, his maroon PX tie looked great. His smile even greater, but it masked the agony of the moment, of the heartache, of having come here to say goodbye to a close friend and rugby mate.