Samoan Police march and dance the street in support of Toa Samoa

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 18 NOVEMBER 2022: The Samoan police and Fire Brigade came out in full force this morning to join the country and global supporters for Toa Samoa’s in the countdown to the final against Australia in the World Rugby League in Manchester on Sunday morning.

From their headquarters in Apia and singing Felise Mikaele’s anthem, Tama Samoa, they marched down the Beach Road, turned around the Town Clock and back to the Government building to raise the flag.

It was unexpected for many who were going about their morning chores until they saw the unusual scene of the country’s law enforcers and police band singing, dancing and cheering as they marched the street.

A woman police officer on duty joined in as the parade turned around the Town Clock.

Some officers showed off their tatau and malu – body traditional tattoos, as they danced their way along the Beach Road, and even police officers who were on duty joined in from where they were posted.

Once they congregated in front of the Government building, the flag raising ceremony started, then followed by the presentation of the Toa Samoa war challenge.

Inspector Viiga Sio got the audience cheering and shouting when he ran across the field waving the Samoan flag and leading the challenge.

It was a touching moment and someone in the crowd yelled out to do the challenge again, which the police accepted.

Even the Police Brass Band joined in.

European visitors impressed
The spectacle caught the eyes of several overseas visitors who were on their way to the venues of the regional and international conferences they are currently attending in Samoa.

Visitors from Europe catching the moment they describe as “amazing”.

Anatasia Kozupovska from Portugal is attending a Maritime Security meeting was amazed at what she saw.

“It is amazing and I just fell in love with Samoa,” she told Talamua.

Dun Kachoe from France, also here for the Maritime meeting was also impressed.

“It’s incredible because police agencies are always and normally strict and sometimes very arrogant, but to see these police officers join together to support the final match is just incredible,” said Dun.

Both women are aware of the final game and thought the atmosphere of a country coming together to support their team shows the “love, patriotism and unity of a nation.”

Talamua also noted several expats including wearing blue in support for Toa Samoa.

The world stands with Toa Samoa
Based on the social media encouragement and congratulatory posts and video clips, it is a sign of unprecedented unity and support for Toa Samoa.

From the icy corners of Alaska to the Pacific, from Europe to a Tongan church in New Zealand, to Samoan village folk on horseback and flying the Samoan flag to children’s homemade cars using corned beef tins as tyres to the popular image of the young boy pushing a trolley with his brother, cousin and pet dog running alongside on Beach Road Apia.

Today, none other than Seiuli Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, whose mother is Samoan posted a message of encouragement for Toa Samoa that they have already created history but to keep their legacy by winning in Manchester on Sunday morning.

Police issue 14 permits for supporters parades  
Meanwhile, Police have issued 14 permits for various organisations and villages to hold parades in support for the team.

Four parades have been approved in the town area with one schedule for today and three for tomorrow in support of the team.

The other 10 permits are for districts and villages parades.

The police have also sent a reminder to the country to celebrate responsibility and to keep safety as paramount.

Police raising the Samoan flag before showing their support for Toa Samoa.