Joe Pidik didn’t even go to watch the game but became a victim of last week’s brawl that erupted after the Agmark Rabaul Gurias and Wamp Nga Mt. Hagen Eagles’ preliminary final.
According to eyewitnesses, Pidik and his workmates were driving back to the Moresby Betting Shop, where Pidik worked, when they were attacked by Eagles supporters with sticks, stones and anything they (supporters) could lay their hands on.
Pidik, from Watom Island in the East New Britain province, was hit on the head and immediately rushed to the Port Moresby General Hospital.
The father of one succumbed to his head injury last night.
Today, the Agmark Rabaul Gurias paid their respects to the family of the late Pidik at the Moresby Betting Shop, where Pidik had worked for over a year.
The team, plus management, then went with the family to the morgue to say their goodbyes and vowed to win the game for him.
Pidik is survived by his son Torot Pidik and wife Valencia Pidik.
Family members say his body will be flown back to Kimbe, West New Britain, where he had grown up.