Late Joe Pidik

The attack happened after the semi-final match between Eagles and NGI Agmark Gurias.

Healthy lifestyle advocate and NCD Governor Powes Parkop urged all walkers to come in white to spread the message of zero tolerance to all forms of violence in sports in Port Moresby.

The PNG Hunters players, PNGRFL and Sports Minister Justin Tkatchenko, will be among the crowd to spread the message that violence is unacceptable in any sporting code.

The incident happened during the Digicel Cup elimination match in Port Moresby between the Rabaul Agmark Gurias and Wamp Nga Mt Hagen Eagles.

“Making peace is always important in a modern time like this where law must be followed and traditions must be maintained,” says the Chairman of the Western Highlands Development Forum Inc, Samson Komati, when urging all Western Highlanders in Port Moresby to come forward in kind and cash and help the Late Pidik’s family.

Late Pidik became a victim of a brawl that erupted after the Agmark Rabaul Gurias and Wamp Nga Mt. Hagen Eagles’ preliminary final.

“To show my public expression of disgust and also as a display of our collective denunciation of violence I wish to propose that we will walk this Sunday, during the Walk For Life, and end up with a service and a prayer for Joe Pidik.

“My intention is get the whole city to gather, call for an end of violence of all forms including in sports and we will visit Joe’s Haus Krai.

Parkop made this remarks when expressing his condolence to the late Joe Pidik’s families and relatives for his loss.

Late Joe Pidik didn’t even go to watch the game but became a victim of a 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.

He was pronounced dead on Sept 2, 2016.

The Gurias today paid their respects to Pidik who passed away last night after succumbing to a head injury suffered after last week’s Digicel Cup preliminary final violence.

Gurias captain and prop, Samuel Hamari said no one had expected things to turn out the way they did after the game.

“We are truly saddened by Joe’s death and offer our condolences to his family. We are so sorry.

“We were planning to visit him this morning at the hospital but were then shocked to hear the news of his passing.

Speaking this morning outside the Port Moresby General Hospital morgue, Pidik’s boss, Jamie Pang said Pidik was a true honest worker.

Pidik worked at the Betting Shop in the Properties and Maintenance section for over a year.

“He was one of the good guys. Pidik was a man who wanted to work and help support his family.

“This senseless violence must stop. It’s pointless violence. If you want to fight, join a kickboxing club or boxing club and go fight in the ring like a true professional.