Segeyaro leaves memories, passes on
Described as a man of ideas, Ifisoe Segeyaro still had ideas to share when he died last week at the age of 51.
His funeral was packed with family, friends, past and present rugby players, PNGRFL led by Chairman Sandis Tsaka, Chief Justice Sir Salamo Inija, Minister for Lands Benny Allan and other associates of Segeyaro.
Segeyaro’s passion for rugby league started when he was in primary school in Goroka. While attending Aiyura National High School in 1981 he was selected to play for the Kumuls.
1983 saw Segeyaro play for the Highlands zone. After his playing days ended, Segeyaro played an important role in mentoring young up and coming players.
2004 saw the revival of the Rugby League School Boys competition which Segeyaro played an important role in making sure the competition had a good start and saw many youths pass through the program to eventually make it into the Kumuls senior and juniors’ team and for the teams playing in the Digicel Cup.
In his life Segeyaro played an important role as a father to his children including his late brother’s children who he adopted after his brother passed away.
His son James was also in attendance and read a moving eulogy to his father and his decision to send them to Australia when he was five years old.
That decision was made as a result of Segeyaro nearly losing his life during an armed hold up at the Westpac Bank.
During an interview earlier this year, Segeyaro said that the hold up and the subsequent loss of his business Negiso Investments Limited (NIL) took a toll on him and his family.
““The bank hold-up in which I almost lost my life and the demise of my business which was source of support for my family left me so severely traumatized that I lost focus of many things. I was mentally and physically tormented for many years and even am still going through these experiences.”
At that same interview he responded to an article in which his son James told of the struggles of living in Australia.
“I just hope that non-one takes this to mean it was deliberate on my part in not supporting James and the rest of the family. At that time I was in no position to support my family and I am ever so grateful to Dean and Susan Barnard and their children for being there for James during the most difficult and challenging times of his life,” he said.
Though he had a tough run in his life, Segeyaro was a man who was humble, kind and still looked out for his friends.
His good friend of 32 years John Wagambie described him as a man who had the heart for Rugby League.
After the funeral service, Segeyaro was taken of a last tour of the fields (Kaugere, Murray Barracks and Unagi Oval) he frequented. Segeyaro will be buried on Sunday in his village Mohuveto No.1.
Source: Post Courier
Post a Comment