The players and staff of the Santos PNG Orchids would like to convey their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the late Mr David Silovo, who recently passed away unexpectedly in Port Moresby.
Mr Silovo was a highly respected rugby league administrator, historian, commentator and advocate of women’s rugby league, who was involved in the sport for more than 50 years.
He was a committed supporter and mentor of several players in the current Santos PNG Orchids squad, including Martha Molowia, Bertshiba Awoi, Lilah Malabag and Vero Waula, as well as assistant coach and former Orchid player Della Audama.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Audama said: “Mr David Silovo was one of the first men to support the big push to promote women’s rugby league that began around 2014. He was very encouraging of the upcoming players and many of our pioneer Orchids drew a lot of motivation from his words. His favorite word was ‘champion’, and he knew every Orchid’s number off by heart and each of their backgrounds. He was the rugby league dictionary of PNG.”
The Orchids wore black armbands in memory of the late Mr Silovo in their opening Rugby League World Cup match against Canada on Tuesday, and players including Martha Molowia and Bertshiba Awoi honoured ‘Fada Dee’ on their strapping .
Source: Santos PNG Orchids