Papua New Guinea’s cricket community mourns the untimely passing of legendary all-rounder Kaia Arua, who tragically passed away at the age of 33 on Thursday. Arua, hailed as one of the country’s star players, breathed her last on April 4th at the Port Moresby General Hospital, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished for years to come.
While Cricket PNG has not disclosed the cause of her death, they have described it as a sudden demise. In a statement expressing condolences to her family, Cricket PNG CEO Richard Done lamented the loss of Arua, who served as the most recent captain of the Lewas, Papua New Guinea’s women’s cricket team.
Arua’s remarkable playing career with the Lewas will be duly recognized in due course, as per Cricket PNG’s statement, which also emphasized respecting the family’s privacy during this difficult time. Arua represented Papua New Guinea on the international stage, notably participating in the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier and earning a spot in the squad for the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier.
Cricket PNG CEO said,
“We are very sad to announce to you that our current player and most recent Lewas captain, Kaia Arua, passed away at Port Moresby General Hospital at midday today. Our sincere condolences and love go to her family, including Coach John Ovia and Lucy Ovia, who have both been long-serving staff here at Cricket PNG,”
Since 2018, Arua featured prominently in T20Is, amassing an impressive tally of 59 wickets at an economy rate of 4.20. Her cricket journey began in 2010 when she donned the national jersey for the first time during an East Asia-Pacific Trophy match against Japan. Over the years, she showcased her skills in various East Asia-Pacific pathway events and Pacific Games cricket tournaments.
Arua’s leadership qualities shone during the 2018 T20 World Cup Qualifier, and she assumed full-time leadership during the 2019 East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup Qualifier, guiding her team to a well-deserved victory. Her passion for the game and contributions to Papua New Guinea’s cricketing legacy will forever be remembered and cherished by fans and teammates alike.
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