V8 Association to Escort Toa Samoa’s Homecoming Parade

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 28 DECEMBER 2022: There is a last minute change in the planned Toa Samoa Homecoming Parade from Vaisigano Bridge towards the Government building tomorrow morning.

Instead of the players marching as a group as originally planned, the 15 member team will be riding on individual vehicles provided by the V8 Association from the bridge, towards the Town Clock then inwards to the Government Building for the formalities.

The Police Commissioner, Auapaau Logoitino Filipo confirmed with Talamua this afternoon that special licenses have been approved for only fifteen licensed vehicles as requested on behalf of the V8 Association.

For security and easier traffic and crowd control, the original plan was for the players to march however, he was informed today of the change of plans.

“We have agreed to the changes on condition that only 15 permits for the allocated cars have been issued, no more,” said Auapaau.

He also stressed that the 15 cars must be registered vehicles.

Typical images from last months car rallies in support of Toa Samoa.

He said police prefer things for crowd and security control hence the previous request to the Samoa Rugby League (SRL) to avoid engaging vehicles for the parade.

Without the change, the police brass band will not be leading the parade and only a police car would escort them.

The official Homecoming program starts with a Mass at the Mulivai Cathedral church tomorrow then the parade at 10.00am.

Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa will deliver the keynote address to be followed by speeches by Toa Samoa coach and captain.

The public will then have a chance to mingle with the team before the players return to their hotel at Return to Paradise.

There is a dinner is in the evening with the sponsors.

On Friday, the team will make a courtesy call on the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi 11 and Faletua, the ,former Head of State Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, the Home of the Aged at Mapuifagalele, the Carmelite Sisters at Vailima and the Campus of Hope at Tuana’imato.

Later in the evening, the Government will host a dinner for Toa Samoa, the Champion Manu Samoa 7s team and the Weightlifting team that won an array of medals in the recent Commonwealth Games and Oceania tournaments in New Zealand.

The players are scheduled to travel to Savaii on Saturday morning as most of the team are from the Big Island.

“Because Palauli and Satupaitea are the only centres where rugby league was developed and played, the team will make a courtesy call on them and enjoy a swim at the Afu Aau Waterfall before returning to Upolu,” said RLS President Tagaloa Fa’afouina Su’a.

A special church service and a to’ona’i is hosted by the CCCS Saanapu on Sunday before the players return on Monday.

The players had been arriving in two groups and despite the late hour, hundreds of fans and families gathered at Faleolo Airport early this morning to welcome the first group led by skipper Junior Paulo and Jarome Luai.

The second group arrived at 3 this afternoon to much anticipation from the country and fans following an unprecedented performance at last month’s World Cup as the first Tier 2 nation to reach the Cup finals.

In its wake, the teams’ performance generated a huge wave of global support not only for the players and team but for Samoa as a country.

Tomorrow’s parade is expected to be packed as the country has been waiting to meet the boys who created history and left a legacy for future Samoan teams to match or better.