Kumuls to dedicate Pacific Championship match to fallen hero, late Josiah Abavu
Papua New Guinea Kumuls will honor one of its fallen heroes, late Josiah Abavu, who passed on this week after battling a long illness.
The national team will be wearing black arm bands this Sunday for the Pacific Championship match against Cook Islands in respect of the fallen Kumul.
The Kumul no.244 made his debut in the 2013 World Cup match against France in Hull in the United Kingdom in a nail-biting clash where he scored a try on debut as a winger.
Late Josiah or known as Josty on the domestic scenes, established himself as national figure when played his first PNG Prime Minister’s XIII match against the Australian side in 2011.
He played three PMs XIII matches prior to earning 3 test matches in the red, black, and gold colors.
PNG Hunters Head Coach Paul Aiton who played alongside late Josiah was saddened to hear of his fellow Kumul’s death.
“I’m really sad…I reached out to Josiah because I wanted him to join our team. I know he is a great leader and person I wanted around the team…so I approached him late in the season,” Aiton said.
He was born second in line of 5 children, the eldest was sister Ruby, followed by his younger brothers Anthony, Bland who is a former PNG Hunter player, and youngest sister Doris.
His first local club was Crystal Lakers which he joined in 2004, a team in the Koiari Rugby League Competition up in Sogeri, he started playing as a center.
“Josiah’s passion to play rugby all began in Sogeri when seeing dad play for local club Crystal Lakers. He was a natural talented rugby player, and it grew within him,” his brother Anthony recalled.
“He himself developed his skills in playing rugby and no one thought he would come through in developing and mastering his game, he liked watching NRL players like Greg Inglis.
“Through the love of the greatest sport of all, he broke through and caught us all by surprise – the rest is history.”
He passed on in the presence of his mother and siblings at the Port Moresby General Hospital at the age of 38 after battling a long illness.
He is survived by his sons Josh, Seke, Tony Jnr and Josiah Jnr, and his daughters Kendra and Rima.
The Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League [PNGRFL] and the football fraternity have expressed profound sadness and relayed condolence messages upon hearing the heart-wrenching news on Tuesday 29th October 2024.
“On behalf of the PNGRFL Board, management and staff, we wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to late Josiah’s immediate family and friends, as well as to his former teammates on the loss of such a talented representative player.
“We wish them all comfort in this time of sorrow.”