New Ministry of Sports & Recreation to operate under MESC for now

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 14 SEPTEMBER 2023: The new Ministry of Sports & Recreation as announced by the Prime Minister last week, will operate from the Ministry of Education Sports & Culture for now until an Act to govern it is finalised.

The Minister of Education, Sports & Culture, Seuula Ioane confirmed this following the Ava ceremony to welcome the new Minister of Sports and Recreation, Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell who was sworn in Tuesday this week.

Seuula said until the Act is finalized and endorsed by Parliament, the Ministry of Sports & Recreation will operate from MESC and under one Chief Executive Officer, Aeau Chris Hazelman.

He clarified that they are working on amending the existing Act governing the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (MESC) to cater for the new Ministry of Sports & Recreation.

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa announced last week the appointment of the new Minister for Sports & Culture and the separation of the Sports sector from the Ministry of Education & Culture under the new Minister.

According to the Prime Minister, the changes will come into effect on 1^st October 2023.

Seuula said the current staff under the Sports division will continue on the budget allocated for the division until an Act is in place for the new ministry with its own budget.

The new Minister for Sports & Recreation, Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell was welcomed at an Ava Ceremony today by the Minister and the ministry.

Laumatiamanu told the media earlier that guidelines are yet to be in place to govern the new ministry’s mandate when it is set up by an Act of parliament.