Farewell to a hero

By KEVIN TEME

PAPUA New Guinea rugby league star Aquila Emil epitomised rugby league as an ambassador, as a mentor, a leader and a player, The National reports.

Pallbearers and former Kumuls Stanley Haru (from left), Joshua Kouoru, Ronald Tovue, Kera Ngaffin, Philip Boge and Richard Wagambie with the cacsket of the late Aquila Emil during the funeral service at at Reverend Sioni Kami Memorial church in Port Moresby yesterday.-Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU

And as his son, Junior Aquila Emil made his way to the altar (pulpit) to read his father’s eulogy, he broke the hearts of the congregation who shed tears freely at the funeral service at the Reverend Sioni Kami Memorial church yesterday.
For some they had seen him as an inspiration to their own lives.

Widow Marieta (second from right), eldest son Aquila Emil Jr  and eldest daughter Vavine (left) weep as members of the great 1992 Kumuls carry the casket of Aquila Emil into church

Fighting back tears, Junior said: “My dad was a great mentor, he gave his best a father could ever give and he would always support us.”
“The death of my father will leave a lot of pain in our hearts but he had left many lessons for us to learn and many memories that we will never forgot.
“We thank God that you had been a wonderful father to us,” Junior said.

Aquila Emil's casket against the backdrop of grieving family members

NCD Governor Powes Parkop, who attended the funeral, said: “He was a true ambassador of rugby league and his charisma will be a turning point for all.
“They should put their differences aside and work for the common good of the game Emil loved. Emil had done that so we must continue to carry on the good work he had left.
“He is a true ambassador not only in rugby league but for his family and those who were around him,” Parkop said.
Parkop was among others, including former PNG Rugby Football League chairman Albert Veratau, the PNGNRL Bid team, former PNG Kumuls coach John Wagambie, who flew in from Alotau, former Kumuls mentor Mark Mom and the chairman of selectors Arnold Krewanty who attend the church service.
The others were Stanley Haru, Richard Wagambie, Philip Boge, Kera Ngaffin, Joshua Kouru, Ronald ToVue, Charlie Wabo, Jessie Joe, Nigel Hukula and Johnson Kuike.

Former Kumuls Joshua Kouoru (left), Tuksy Karu and Ronald Tovue laying wreaths on the casket of the late Aquila Emil yesterday

Emil’s death had inspired many within the rugby league fraternity, his family, friends and those around him.
His fame in the rugby league arena would leave a lasting legacy and footprints in the hearts of the rugby league administrators, players and, more importantly, the upcoming juniors.
Many spoke highly of him as one of the best league players of all-time. One of the best coaches in PNG and a former teammate Adrian Lam in memory of Emil has named his junior scholarship programme, the Aquila Emil scholarship scheme under the banner of the Adrian Lam Foundation.

Junior rugby league players whom Emil helped to develop pay their last respects

The late Aquila Emil’s body will be flown out to his village, Meteui, New Hanover, New Ireland, today.
His death had also brought everyone within the PNGRFL together for the first time since the in-house conflict surfaced in 2009.
Emil has shown the light for all PNGRFL stakeholders to work together for the good and development of the game.
He would be keen to see the work he left behind continue to develop so that the nation could love watching andreading about rugby league

Till we meet again...Aquila Emil's inlaws from Babaka village sing a last song of goodbye