Jerseys given to Ottio family by PNGRFL

THE Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League presented two jerseys, an NRL St George Dragons and Southern Confederate, to Kato Ottio’s mother Joyce after the burial at Tatana village last week.
SP PNG Hunters coach Michael Marum, who coached Ottio at the Hunters in 2015 and Kumuls at last year’s World Cup, was present as PNGRFL chairman Graham Osborne presented the Dragons jersey while former Kumul fullback and Hanuabada native Phillip Boge presented the Southern Confederate jersey.
Southern Confederate director Gwaibo Mairi said St George Illawarra winger Nene Macdonald had given the Dragons jersey to the PNGRFL.
“It was a kind gesture by Nene to give a Dragons jersey to give to Kato’s family,” Mairi said.
Ottio was approached by the Dragons to join them before the World Cup but opted to play for the Kumuls before agreeing to join UK Super League’s Widnes Vikings.
Ottio, 23, died on Tues, Jan 9, from severe heat stroke after collapsing at a training session on Sunday, Jan 7, in Port Moresby.