By Terin Frodyma on SwimSwam
Romani Katoa, a longtime advocate for swimming in the Pacific and one of the region’s most influential aquatic sports leaders, has died. No cause of death has been released at this time.
Cook Islands Sports released this statement on Facebook regarding Katoa’s passing:
Romani Katoa was a fearless leader among the Aquatics, Pukapukan and CISNOC community.
Romani was elected to the CISNOC board 6 years ago. He served one full term and was two years into his second as Senior Vice-President when he was appointed as Acting President in late August 2024 until his resignation in January 2025.
Romani’s dedication to Cook Islands Sports did not go unnoticed as he was a passionate supporter of anything Wale, Aquatics and most of all Team Cook Islands. His enthusiasm and commitment were evident in everything he did for our sporting community.
We will miss his bright smile, his cheeky humour and most of all his friendship among our board members and staff here at CISNOC.
Atawai Wolo Romani, rest in love
Katoa served as President of the Cook Islands Aquatics Federation from 2009 until his passing and was re-elected Vice-President of Oceania Aquatics in 2024.
Katoa was the first Pacific Islander elected to the executive board of the World Aquatics International Swimming Federation.
He was also an active leader within the Cook Islands Sports and National Olympic Committee (CISNOC), serving as Senior Vice President, and he also had a brief stint as President beginning in 2024 before resigning from the position in 2025. In late 2024, he was arrested on charges of willful damage, resulting in his resignation as the acting president of the CISNOC.
Katoa’s funeral will be held on Thursday, August 7th, at the Auditorium Domes in Rarotonga.
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Romani Katoa, Pacific Swimming Advocate and Leader, Dies
