Foundation gives to Ottio’s family

By BENJAMIN KOITAKA
THE Stanley Gene Foundation brought home sporting kits and household items for the late Kato Ottio’s family.
Foundation director Stanley Gene, pictured, was in the country distributing the donations made from the English Championship club — Widnes Vikings and fans to Ottio’s mother Joyce.
The items were brought to Tatana villiage last Saturday.
Gene, without disclosing the amount and the cost, said it was the club’s commitment to build the house for Ottio’s mother which was the Kumul centre’s dream.
“Through the help of Viking fans and the Stanley Gene foundation and PNGRFL, we have built the house for Kato Ottio’s mom,” Gene said.
“It was Kato’s dream to build his mother a house and we made it a reality.”
Gene said building the house was a great thing to do in memory of the rugby league star but completing the commitment was important.
“We have built the house and now there must be something inside the house as well.
“We’ve collected and delivered household goods as well as sports gear, like rugby balls and training pads and equipment,” Gene said.
“Though the foundation and Vikings fans and club, they have helped in a big way and I’m simply here to deliver their contributions.”
Gene thanked Widnes Viking management and fans for the support saying the rugby league community had shown its solidarity.
The Stanley Gene Foundation was established in 2012 and aims to promote rugby league in PNG and maintain a relationship between English fans and clubs and their PNG counterparts.