The Government of Samoa gave SAT$500,000 (US$183,121)to the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympics Committee (SASNOC) to prepare the Olympic Games in Paris next month.
This was confirmed by the SASNOC president Pauga Talalelei Pauga on Friday following the official announcement of the qualified athletes who have been selected to represent Samoa in the Olympics this year.
“The whole targeted budget is $1.2million(US$439,000) and I am grateful to announce that the Government has granted us $500,000 (US$183,121) and we’re grateful,” he said.
“The rest was tabled in our whole budget and SASNOC, IOC, and Paris Olympics have managed to pitch in as well so all of those together has managed to achieve this goal and why we are able to make this possible.”
Meanwhile, there are nine sports which Team Samoa will participate in with the squad including 41 males and 11 females.
Currently, 37 of the athletes are in Samoa, two are in the United States, five are in Australia, two are in New Zealand, and one is in Japan.
Asked whether they will fund all travel allowances and fees for overseas-based athletes, Pauga said ‘yes’ as it is part of the association’s responsibilities to do so.
For a small nation of an estimated 200,000 people, representing nine different sports is a big achievement and the most from any other Pacific island nation. This weekend the list could extend by one if the Manusina Sevens manage to qualify from Monaco.
The qualified athletes include:
Athletics: Alexander Melei Rose from Poutasi Falealili
Boxing: Ato Leau Plodziski Faoagali from Siumu and Tuanai
Canoeing: Tuva’a Mako Hugo Clifton and Samalulu Fuatino Te Aho Clifton from Malie, Fasitoo-Uta, Safune and Lano
Sailing: Erolini Leilua from Vaivase-Uta, Vaimo’oi’a Astrid Ripley from Lufilufi, Saoluafata and Faleapuna;
Swimming: Johann Strickland from Salelologa, Pesega, Lotopa and Apia, and Kaiya Brown from Salani and Tanugamanono
Weightlifting: Don Opeloge from Vaoala and Aleisa, and Iuniarra Sipaia from Vaoala and Saluafata;
Wrestling: Gaku Akasawa from Alafua
Judo: William Tai Tin from Lalovaea.
Rugby Sevens Men’s: Va’a Apelu Maliko, Taunu’u Niulevaea, Motu Opetaia, Dan Patelesio, Vaovasa Afa Su’a, BJ Telefoni Lima, Alamanda Motuga, Jeff Levy, Neueli Leitufia, Tom Maiava, Paul Scanlan, Paul Ieti Alesana, Faafoi Falaniko, Steve Onosai, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Malakesi Masefau, and Malo Luteru.
CDM: Tologata Tamaleaoa Leilua
GTM: Tuiletufuga Fritz Tuiavi’i
AGTM: Raema Von Reiche.
