Government
Government’s new policy to reward medal winning athletes
By Lagi Keresoma/
Apia, SAMOA – 12 May 2026: The medal winning efforts of Samoan athletes in international sports competitions will be recognized during Samoa’s 64th independence celebrations next month.
Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt said it has been 10 years since athletes have received any incentives in recognition of their international efforts and it is something that must be done.
Cabinet now awaits a report from the Ministry of Sports and the Samoa Association of Sports & National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) that will form a policy guideline for recognising and rewarding the medal winning athletes in the future.
The Prime Minister said the new policy should set the criteria for financial incentives based on the level of competition from the regional sports competitions such as the Pacific Games, the Commonwealth and ultimately, the Olympics.
“We await the report from the Ministry of Sports and SASNOC, but yes, we will do it,” he said.
Samoa hosted the Universal Weightlifting Championship 2026 last week and Samoa secured a record number of 50 medals, and the new policy guideline will determine the financial incentives.
So far, Samoan athletes have won Gold in the Pacific and Commonwealth Games, and female weightlifter Ele Opeloge is Samoa’s only medal winner in the Olympics winning Silver in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Leading the 64th independence celebrations is the parade of Samoan athletes on 29 May of athletes who will compete in 20026 Independence Games.
The ceremony to recognize Samoa’s elite and medal winning athletes is scheduled for Tuesday 2nd June 2026 at the Tiafau Malae, Mulinu’u.