Sports
Manu Samoa 7s & Manusina 7s offloaded in Dubai
APIA, SAMOA – 01 JULY 2021: Both the Manu Samoa 7s & Manusina 7s were offloaded in Dubai on the way home after failing to qualify for the Olympics in the Monaco repechage tournament.
Lakapi Samoa Chief Executive Officer, Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea’i, confirmed in a statement this evening that the Team and Management were offloaded as the tests conducted did not meet the specific medical tests requirements under the Covid-19 pandemic SOE border requirements.
The Team has been accommodated in Dubai since 23rd June and have recently completed all their required blood serology and Covid-19 tests.
Before departing for Europe, the travelling party had completed their two Astrazeneca vaccinations here in Samoa.
“Unfortunately, the delay means the team members won’t be back in Samoa until late July if they can get on the next scheduled flight on 26th July.”
Faleomavaega added; “Alternative proposed options for consideration to NEOC and subsequent recommendation for approval was declined by Cabinet pending tests results and also in consideration of the Government’s major concerns in the pandemic variant happenings in Fiji and recently in the Manu Samoa match in Wellington last week was also a deciding factor to continue our border protection.”
“The teams have since completed all the tests and results conducted in Dubai which have all come back negative,” said the statement.
“The welfare of our players is our priority and we are liaising closely with the Management at all times together with support from World Rugby, HSBC Dubai Rugby Officials, Pacific Rugby Players and a few Dubai based Samoan Community to ensure all our travelling team and Management (30 paxs) are cared for in a safe and comfortable environment at their Hotel Accommodation in Dubai.”
Faleomavaega also added; “Lakapi Samoa wishes to note that we respect and comply with the position taken by the Government to continue protecting Samoa from this deadly virus and we are exploring all possible options with our key Stakeholders to bring our Team home safely.”
