Late John Nightingale

John was also the heartbeat of the East New Britain provincial rugby league flagship the Agmark Rabaul Gurias. He was affectionately known as Papa Guria.

‘Papa Guria’ was the founder and Managing Director of Agmark Pacific ltd until the merger with NGIP Co Ltd in 2005 a position he held until his passing on May 19, 2020, aged 73.

As founding sponsor of the Agmark Rabaul Gurias for the next 29 years, Gurias was the forerunner and benchmark team of the country’s semi -professional rugby league competition, PNG National Rugby League Competition.

That was how Vice Minister for Sport and Member for Kagua-Erave, Wesley Raminai, described the late Nightingale when sending his condolences to the family and friends of the man who was affectionately known as ‘Papa Guria’.

Raminai said Nightingale’s contribution to the Agmark Gurias rugby league franchise in PNG’s premier competition, Digicel Cup, was an example of excellence in sports.

“Agmark Guria is a renowned sporting entity that has set some high benchmarks and the late John Nightingale is one of the main reasons behind this,” Raminai said.