Independence Committee to decide on Fautasi regatta

By Talaia Mika

APIA, SAMOA – 20 JULY 2022: The Independence Committee is to make a decision whether to extend or call off the Fautasi Regatta from the independence program as only three Fautasis, 2 Tululas, 2 paopao and 1 outrigger canoe have registered.

The closing date for registrations was last week Friday, 15^th of July.

The Commissioner of Police, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo, said the final decision is to be made by the Independence Committee chaired by Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mataafa.

“We had a meeting with the crews last month who showed interest in the regatta and about seven fautasi crews were interested to race however, I am not sure whether it did not work out for them or if they had other reasons for not registering,” added Auapaau.

The registration fee for Fautasi is $1,000, Tulula $500, Outrigger (6 rowers) $100 and Paopao $50.

Auapaau added that the winning prize for the Fautasi regatta this year is $60,000 to commemorate Samoa’s 60 years independence.

The popular event had been the highlight of the Independence celebrations and the Teuila Tourism Festival. But had not been held due to the pandemic and the expensive long boats had been lying idle and rotting over the years.

Image from a previous fautasi race with Tama Uli from Salelologa in the lead very close to the finish.

The Government earlier this year announced the revival of the Fautasi Regatta including the shorter version, the Tulula which is rowed by women, Paopao and outrigger canoe races after three years postponement.

The last time the fautasi race was held was in 2020 that was organised by the Marist Old Boys Association.

The regatta was planned to be part of the year-long celebrations of Samoa’s 60 years of Independence and to be held during the Teuila Festival in September.

But with the low numbers registered by the cut-off date, it is now up to the Independence Committee whether to extend the registration date or to extend an invitation to fautasi from American Samoa for this year’s race.

Meanwhile, Manono residents from Faleu and Salua villages were the only group of rowers to have publicly announced their interest to compete in this year’s regatta.

An old rower of the award-winning Telefoni o le Vainuu Fautasi, Fa’amaui Samuelu from Faleu told Talamua the normal timeframe for fautasi rowers to train for a race back in the days in usually about six months.

According to Faamaui Samuelu, he is looking forward to participate in this year’s race.