Stanton vows to play for Ottio

By MELTON PAIS
PAPUA New Guinea Kumuls prop Stanton Albert, who signed up for Widnes Vikings in the Super League in place of the late Kato Ottio, has promised to give his best in honour of his late teammate.
Ottio, who was signed on by the Vikings, was supposed to travel to United Kingdom with Stanton’s elder brother Wellington Albert.
Stanton and Wellington left the country yesterday. Family members and staff of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League saw off the brothers at the Jackson International Airport yesterday.
The younger of the pair, 22-year-old Stanton, said it would be a great honour again to play alongside his elder brother and this time with the Vikings, thousands of miles away from home.
“Being in a foreign club together is not new to us, we have been in Penrith Panthers for two years and now we will be in the Vikings for another two years,” he said.
“But this time, we have a greater task ahead of us. We know that we are our country’s ambassadors and we will give our best.
“All our games will be in honour of our fallen comrade, late Kato Ottio. Yes, I will represent my brother late Kato and I promise to give my best.”
Although he was still mourning the passing of a team mate, Stanton said was excited also to experience a new environment and make new friends in Widnes.
He also acknowledged the PNG SP Hunters, especially coach Michael Marum, for having trust in him and releasing him and his brother to travel to another country to play the game they all loved.
“It will be an honour to represent my country,” he said.
“I am more than grateful to carry the flag of my country in a country so far away.
“Moreover, it is my greatest honour that I will be travelling with my elder brother once again and play together in one team, Vikings.
“It is always our way, we stand in for each other and I believe our lives will be a lot easier having each other’s backs.”
He thanked league followers in the country for supporting the Hunters and Kumuls and urged them to back the Hunters in their bid to win back-to-back premiership this season.