PNG Volleyball mourns the loss of long-time administrator Ronald Omoa

The volleyball community in Papua New Guinea is in mourning following the sudden passing of long serving administrator and PNG Volleyball Federation [PNGVF] General Secretary, Ronald Omoa.
He passed away on Monday at the age of 48 after suffering a mild stroke.

Omoa’s death marks a profound loss for the sport, both nationally and in the wider Oceania region, where he was a central figure in the development and administration of volleyball for over 16 years.

PNGVF President Edward Aisi described Omoa as a ‘loyal, trustworthy, and gentle giant’ whose contributions shaped the federation's strategic direction and legacy.

Ronald was simply the best administrator,” Aisi told NBC News.

“He led the drafting of our Vision 2024–2027, assisted in constitutional reforms, updated our selection policies, and even designed our current logos and letterheads.”

Aisi said that the two had been working closely on plans to establish a national Volleyball Academy and Junior Development Program, initiatives Omoa had passionately championed.

“He was the brains behind our plans, and I now carry the responsibility to bring those dreams to life in his honor,” Aisi said.

Omoa’s recent achievements include managing the PNG Amoa men’s indoor volleyball team to a silver medal at the 2023 Pacific Games and guiding the under-18 men’s beach volleyball team to a silver finish at the Oceania Beach Volleyball Championships. His leadership and planning were credited with revitalizing team performance and morale.

Beyond his national duties, Omoa also served as Vice President of the Oceania Zonal Volleyball Association [OZVA] and represented PNG at numerous international meetings, including the 25th AVC Elective General Assembly in Bangkok in 2024.

Omoa was also a gifted graphic designer and artist whose creative work contributed significantly to PNGVA’s public image and outreach.

He is survived by his wife Vegga and their three sons.

Meanwhile, the Asian Volleyball Confederation [AVC] and the wider Asian Volleyball Family have also expressed deep condolences, recognizing Omoa’s enduring commitment to growing the game across the Pacific.