Samoa’s must successful national sporting team have been presented a $10,000 tala boost from their major naming rights sponsors, the National Bank of Samoa.
At a special ceremony held on Wednesday morning at the nbs headquarters, the National Bank of Samoa Weightlifting Team received an additional $10,000 towards their preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Championships to be held in Ahmedabad, India.
National Bank of Samoa Chief Executive Officer, Papalii Sam Swann said nbs are extremely proud of Samoa’s lifters and congratulated Head Coach and President Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork for the consistent results.
The NBS Samoa Weightlifting team ended the recent 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau with another epic performance, earning 28 of Samoa’s 59 total medal tally which is recorded as the best Pacific Mini Games performance by any Samoa Team 🇼🇸 in history.
Speaking to Samoa Global News, Tuaopepe Asiata Jerry Wallwork acknowledged the ongoing support of nbs and said they are grateful for the additional $10,000 on top of all the other financial support nbs has given.
“We are very appreciative, once again for the NBS ongoing support,” said Tuaopepe.”It is very much needed with no funding from the Government at the moment.”
Tuaopepe explains that the upcoming Commonwealth Championships in India also serves as a qualifier for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games scheduled from 23 July to 2 August 2026.
Tuaopepe says Samoa has 8 potential Commonwealth Games medalists amongst the nbs Samoa Weightlifting national squad, however, they need a further $50,000 tala to take a minimum of 6 athletes to the upcoming qualifiers.
John Tafi, Jack Opeloge, Avatu Opeloge, Sanele Mao, Emmanuel Ulimasao and Seine Stowers are all medal contenders for next years’ Commonwealth Games.
“I would have liked to have taken 12 for exposure to the Commonwealth Championships,” said Tuaopepe, “but at this stage, we need a further 50,000 tala to take a team of six.”
The Team intends to depart Apia on the 24th of August and return on the 1st of September.
Iuniarra Sipaia and Lesila Fiapule are also medal contenders at the Commonwealth Games, however, Tuaopepe says he is exploring if the pair’s performance in Palau would suffice for Commonwealth Games qualification.
Public Notice
Vacancies
- 16 locals and 14 overseas-based applicants Pass the Malua Entrance Exam - October 13, 2026
- Fuafua le Malo e Toe Faatū Nofoa e Lua mo le Au Palota Tu Taulaga - October 11, 2026
- Tumau Tuia Pu’a Fuatogi Letoa i le Nofoa o Safata 2: Teena le Talosaga a Leleua - October 9, 2026
