PNG Kumuls centre Kato Ottio passes away

The rugby league world is mourning the sudden loss of PNG LNG Kumuls centre and former Canberra Raider, Kato Ottio.

Ottio passed away from a “sudden health issue” while training on Monday, ahead of his move to the English Super League.

The PNG Rugby Football League released a statement on Tuesday morning, with the governing body’s chairman Sandis Tsaka advising that Ottio had passed away at the Pacific International Hospital in Port Moresby at 2am.

Tsaka said Ottio’s body was taken to his home in Tatana before being moved to a funeral home.

The details of his death will be released later.

The Papua New Guinea international spent the past two years on Canberra’s books, without cracking the top grade.

After last year’s World Cup Ottio signed to play with English Super League side Widnes, where the powerful outside back had hoped to make his first grade debut.

Former Raiders teammate Elliott Whitehead was among the first to pay tribute to the rising star, saying on Instagram that Ottio was “one guy who has always had a smile on his face. Loved my time with him at Raiders”.

Former Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast winger David Mead - who played alongside Ottio for Papua New Guinea at last year’s World Cup and has since joined Super League club Catalans Dragons - posted a touching tribute to Instagram to his “Kumul brother”.

“Absolutely devastated to hear the passing of my Kumul brother Kato Ottio. He was one of most humble and kind hearted people I have ever known,” Mead wrote.

“Forever in my heart. Love you brother Rest In Peace. I will miss you Katzy Mero.”