Lakapi Samoa Chief Executive Officer Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai confirmed that the union will be celebrating their 100-year anniversary on 25 August.
“Yes, we will be having our celebration on Sunday the 25th. We were hoping to have it at the Mulivai Cathedral but it’s closed because there’s work being done on it in preparation for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting,” he said.
“We wanted to have it at the EFKS Hall because it was the only big place. However, we have moved it to St Theresa Catholic Church, Lepea.
“It’s almost the same as the Marist’s celebration but the Manu Samoa and Tonga game is within this week’s celebration.”
They will have a march on 27 August where all the former rugby players will be participating. According to Fepuleai, there are about 600 players who will be in this celebration.
“All the old boys and everyone who has played for the Manu Samoa, the 18 sub-unions, clubs and the colleges who participated in rugby. Then on Wednesday the 28th, we will have a Capping Awards night at Friendship Park. We’re capping everybody that has played for Manu Samoa.”
“At the moment, we are close to 600. From 1924 to the 50s and 60s. It was really hard to find their records but we’re trying as much as we can. Most of the rugby teams in the days have photos but don’t have names. From the 60s to now, we have their records.
“So, we will be publishing it in the paper. We will also be doing special awards for our administration officers, officials, physios, coaches, doctors and people who have contributed to the development of rugby.”
They will be having a beer festival at the Siva Afi complex to close off their centennial celebration. The public can be part of it and be able to meet former and current players of the Manu Samoa team.
Lakapi Samoa is looking forward to their upcoming 100-year celebration.
