Vailima Ward bested nine other ward teams to clinch the championship cup in the Apia Samoa Central Stake Athletics Day 2022 contest held at Apia Park last week.
More than 700 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 10 wards gathered at Apia Park on Saturday 15 October, in the spirit of fun and fitness.
The athletics day event was part of the stake’s Family Proclamation aimed at raising awareness on the fight against violence and to promote healthy living, said Muagututia Jason Joseph, President of Apia Samoa Central Stake.
“The day also served as a lasting reminder about the importance of the family unit in God’s Plan of Happiness”, said Muagututia, himself a father of six.
“The event aims to promote family health and fitness,” said President Joseph. “To ensure we stay fit in order to avoid all those diseases like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, gout, heart and lung diseases.”
“This goes along with the Church’s Program called ‘Eat Healthy and Be Active’..
“It might become an annual event but we’ll see how things go as we move along.”
Close to 800 members were in attendance, noted President Joseph.
Athletes young and old were split into five divisions: Primary (boys and girls ages 7-11); Youth (boys and girls ages 12-17); Young Single Adults (unmarried men and women ages 18-30); Young Couples (married men and women (ages 31-45 years old) and the Veterans division for men and women 46 years of age and up.
“This is another door offered by the stake for our members especially the youth to explore new talents and gifts, more opportunities in life through sports. And if there’s a desire to keep going, then go ahead and expand and magnify your talents,” President Joseph said.
“I was very happy to see families coming together to enjoy a fun day at the park, and to enjoy seeing their children taking events, cheering and shouting and even participating in other events..
“Everyone enjoyed themselves, especially the little children and youth; they loved it and want to do it again.”
Teams competed in five track events, the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m, the 4x400m, and four field events: javelin, discus, shot put and the high jump.
Vailima finished the competition in first place and won the cup.
Participating teams were: Vailima, Malololelei, Motootua 1, Motootua 2, Alamagoto, Vaimoso, Mt Vaea, Pesega 2, Alafua and Moamoa.
President Joseph acknowledged Second Counselor to the Stake President Manu’a Auimatagi Lawrence L. Fuimaono and the Athletics Day Committee.
“A special thanks to President Fuimaono and the Athletics Day Committee for organising this wonderful event,” he said.
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