SASNOC Confident of Samoa’s Chances at the Commonwealth Games

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 19 MAY 2022: Samoa’s preparation for the Commonwealth Games in July/August 2022 in Birmingham, UK has started on a positive note with all the players qualified for the Games on merit.

The President of the Samoa Association of Sports & National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) Pauga Talalelei Pauga told Talamua that he was confident of Team Samoa’s potential at the Games.

Samoa will feature in seven sports, Athletics, Swimming, Wrestling, Boxing, Judo, Weightlifting and Rugby 7’s in the Commonwealth Games.

“The teams have been preparing for some time and all have qualified on merits,” said Pauga.

Team Samoa’s successful achievement at the Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast, Australia in 2018 where weightlifting secured two gold medals, a silver for boxing and other sports as well, is a sure sign of Samoa’s moving forward, said Pauga.

To top it off was the achievement by the weightlifting squad at the 2021 Weightlifting Regional Oceania Champions where the team secured six Gold medals, two Silvers and one Bronze.

“With this exceptional accomplishment, we are confident in the Samoa Weightlifting Federation and its athlete ability to achieve more milestones in the upcoming games,” said Pauga.

The bulk of Team Samoa are local athletes with a few currently studying and training abroad who will join the team when travel is approved.

Pauga said Team Samoa needs at least ST$1 million to fund all their preparations and travel and they are grateful for the financial assistance from the Commonwealth Games, but hope to get the Government’s support.

During the launch of the Commonwealth Games Queen Baton recently, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa voiced the Government’s support for a team to represent Samoa at these games.

“We know the difficulty for travel because of COVID-19 and border restrictions, but we have also noted that people are still traveling and we hope, Government will give us that opportunity to travel in time for the Games in late July,” said Pauga.

Samoa missed out competing in the Tokyo Olympics and other international tournaments due to COVID-19, and SASNOC has looked at ways to adapt to the current situation and have laid a strategic plan as they are adamant in sending a team to the Commonwealth Games.

COVID-19 insurance for Team Samoa
One of the major part of the costs of Team Samoa’s preparations is ensuring that all players are covered under the COVID-19 insurance package.

“Priority is the safety and protection of the athletes,” said Pauga.

In a meeting in Fiji last week, Pauga said protocol procedures to protect anyone were laid on the table and this includes a strict bubble for athletes at time of competition and meals.

“We have prepared insurance provisions for isolation costs should anyone test positive with COVID-19 and with SASNOC to assist with the transitions,” he said.

Five Sports for the Mini Games in Saipan
SASNOC is also preparing another Team Samoa for the Mini Games in Saipan around the same time as the Commonwealth Games.

Samoa will compete in five sports including Athletics, Golf, Beach Volleyball, Tennis and Weightlifting,

Pauga said there were supposed to be nine sports; however, given the low ranking in the other four sports, SASNOC has opted to take 5 instead.

SASNOC’s vision is for Samoa to be present at any tournament internationally but the major hurdle is financing a team.

“We are looking at ST$500,000 to $600,000 to fund the team for the Mini Games,” he said.

The Mini Games is the mini version of the Pacific Games and Samoa plan to send at least 30 athletes and officials to the mini-games.