By Parker Tambua
Papua New Guinea intercity rugby league veteran and Lae Tigers forward Supa Kokote signs off his 13-year stint in the semi-professional competition with a premiership and a trip to watch NRL grand final in Sydney, Australia as a reward.
After the Lae Snax Tigers won their 5th PNG National Rugby League premiership with 36-16 win over Mendi Muruks in the grand final last weekend, Tigers owner Ian Chow rewarded Kokote for his service to the PNG rugby league and the Tigers, by sponsoring his trip to Australia.
Mr Chow told EMTV news that Kokote has never traveled overseas and this would be a great experience for the old-timer at the back of a fitting farewell on the grand final day last week.
“Supa Kokote has been one of the toughest and longest surviving players in the PNG National Rugby League Competition,” Chow said.
“He (Kokote) played and won premierships for many other teams over his career. In fact, Supa was in the winning Tigers team when we won our first grand final in 2016.
“After that he played for a number of clubs before he made a full circle back to Tigers this year and ended his career with another premiership with us.
“He (Kokote) told us it was time for him to hang up his boots and be with his family.
“Kokote has never been overseas so I told him I will take him to NRL grand final in Sydney after this game.
“We are now rushing to fix his passport and Aussie visa so he can go.”
Apart from his two premierships with the Tigers, Kokote was a key figure in the 2023 Enga Mioks premiership campaign and also featured for Goroka Lahanis and Waghi Tumbe in 2013 and 2021 grand finals respectively.
