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| from left Mana Lisa Ottio Katos youngest sibling, Joyce Ottio his mother and Marie Ottio his sister at thier home in Tatana Village pic by FIDELIS SUKINA |
RUGBY LEAGUE
BY FIDELIS SUKINA
JOYCE Ottio, the mother of late rugby league icon Kato Ottio has accepted an invite by the Canberra Raiders, Kato’s former club, to watch their first home game against the Newcastle Knights in the second round of the National Rugby League.
Joyce was at their home in Tatana village when Post-Courier caught up with her and the family after the Canberra Raiders announced on Saturday that they will be flying her and a few family members to watch the game.
Joyce Ottio, Ahulo Ottio, Opao Ottio and Helai Matthew will be travelling together on Friday to watch the match on Sunday and return on Monday.
It was her first time to speak to the media after the loss of her son and she broke down in tears when she mentioned her son’s name.
She said it was his dream for her to watch him if he made it into the first grade.
“Ol lain lo Canberra laik mipela go watsim home gem blo ol wantaim Newcastle. Ol invitim mipela lo go mipela ba fly lo Friday. Dis wik ba ol givim tiket.
“Mi bin les lo pastaim bikos mi sore stap na tu em bin tok mi ron aut lo bikpela grade now ba mi igat sans lo travel olsem, but Ahulo Ottio Junior encouragim mi lo go.
(“Canberra Raiders invited us to go and I accepted it at first I was reluctant because I was still coping with the loss. And as well, he said I would fly over if he made it to first grade in the National Rugby League competition but Ahulo Ottio, the big brother encouraged me to go and we have done all our passports and visas. We are just waiting for the tickets,” Mrs Ottio said.)
The Canberra Raiders will host a memorial mass after the match with both the Raiders and Knights players involved, and the Capital Wantoks will perform during and after the match, with Ottio's family also potentially on the field for the service.
They're also looking at setting up a scholarship for PNG rugby league players.
They'll wear a "cultural jersey" with Ottio's name on it, which will probably be for their round 10 game against the Cronulla Sharks at Canberra Stadium on May 13.
Those jerseys will be auctioned to raise further money for Ottio's memorial fund.
The Raiders have helped raise A$11,745 (estimated K29,920) so far through their Gofundme page for Ottio to help go towards buying his mother a house.
Mrs Ottio added that Kato would have turned 24 on March 20 this year and she will return on Monday March 19 to prepare for his birthday celebration which will coincide with a thank you kaikai to all that helped out during his death.
“Mipela kam bek ba mi wokim liklik kaikai blo em, em bai kamap 24-pla krimas, every year mi save wokim, na tu just to say our thank you lo ol lain kam na ol e bin helpim lo dai bilong em.”
(“We will return on Monday before his birthday and celebrate it and as well thank all who helped us during his death,” Mrs Ottio said).
JOYCE Ottio, the mother of late rugby league icon Kato Ottio has accepted an invite by the Canberra Raiders, Kato’s former club, to watch their first home game against the Newcastle Knights in the second round of the National Rugby League.
Joyce was at their home in Tatana village when Post-Courier caught up with her and the family after the Canberra Raiders announced on Saturday that they will be flying her and a few family members to watch the game.
Joyce Ottio, Ahulo Ottio, Opao Ottio and Helai Matthew will be travelling together on Friday to watch the match on Sunday and return on Monday.
It was her first time to speak to the media after the loss of her son and she broke down in tears when she mentioned her son’s name.
She said it was his dream for her to watch him if he made it into the first grade.
“Ol lain lo Canberra laik mipela go watsim home gem blo ol wantaim Newcastle. Ol invitim mipela lo go mipela ba fly lo Friday. Dis wik ba ol givim tiket.
“Mi bin les lo pastaim bikos mi sore stap na tu em bin tok mi ron aut lo bikpela grade now ba mi igat sans lo travel olsem, but Ahulo Ottio Junior encouragim mi lo go.
(“Canberra Raiders invited us to go and I accepted it at first I was reluctant because I was still coping with the loss. And as well, he said I would fly over if he made it to first grade in the National Rugby League competition but Ahulo Ottio, the big brother encouraged me to go and we have done all our passports and visas. We are just waiting for the tickets,” Mrs Ottio said.)
The Canberra Raiders will host a memorial mass after the match with both the Raiders and Knights players involved, and the Capital Wantoks will perform during and after the match, with Ottio's family also potentially on the field for the service.
They're also looking at setting up a scholarship for PNG rugby league players.
They'll wear a "cultural jersey" with Ottio's name on it, which will probably be for their round 10 game against the Cronulla Sharks at Canberra Stadium on May 13.
Those jerseys will be auctioned to raise further money for Ottio's memorial fund.
The Raiders have helped raise A$11,745 (estimated K29,920) so far through their Gofundme page for Ottio to help go towards buying his mother a house.
Mrs Ottio added that Kato would have turned 24 on March 20 this year and she will return on Monday March 19 to prepare for his birthday celebration which will coincide with a thank you kaikai to all that helped out during his death.
“Mipela kam bek ba mi wokim liklik kaikai blo em, em bai kamap 24-pla krimas, every year mi save wokim, na tu just to say our thank you lo ol lain kam na ol e bin helpim lo dai bilong em.”
(“We will return on Monday before his birthday and celebrate it and as well thank all who helped us during his death,” Mrs Ottio said).
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