Yazaki Kizuna Foundation is the Official Sponsor of Lakapi Samoa’s High Performance Academy

Lakapi Samoa have today announced its partnership with Yazaki Kizuna Foundation. The Japanese-based organisation is coming on board as the official sponsor of the Lakapi Samoa High Performance Academy.

Lakapi Samoa CEO, Vice Chairman Afamasaga Toeolesulusulu Rico Tupai, President Namulauulu Sami Leota, Funefeai Oliva Vaai.

“The Yazaki Kizuna Foundation is an incorporated not-for-profit foundation existing under the laws of Japan that was established by Yazaki Corporation in 2018”.

“We believe our academy programme is in line with Yazaki Kizuna Foundation’s purpose to support the creation of job opportunities and economic development activities in Samoa,” said Vice Chairman of Lakapi Samoa Afamasaga Toeolesulusulu Rico Tupai.

Vice Chairman Afamasaga Toeolesulusulu Rico Tupai and CEO Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai. Photo: Ganasavea Manuia Tafeaga.

“Together, Lakapi Samoa and Yazaki Kizuna Foundation look forward to this mutually beneficial partnership, which brings with it a fantastic opportunity to strengthen the Lakapi Samoa High Performance Academy”.

Lakapi Samoa’s High Performance Academy provides local rugby players with a high performance environment throughout the year, to progressively move into the next-level of professional rugby.

“With increased growth and interest globally in rugby, the demand for highly skilled rugby players is increasing and this partnership will help our Lakapi Samoa High Performance Academy to provide local players with the resources and training they need to qualify for professional rugby contracts overseas..

“That is the goal,” said Afamasaga Toeolesulusulu, “to be contracted to clubs and franchises that can provide our rugby players with a well-paying rugby career in a high performance rugby environment”.

Funefeai Oliva Vaai speaks on behalf of Yazaki Kizuna Foundation

“To compete with bigger and better resourced Unions, the partnership with Yazaki Kizuna Foundation will assist Lakapi Samoa immensely in our high performance programme to prepare future international players”.

We are grateful to Yazaki Kizuna Foundation for this partnership and appreciate that our visions align with theirs,” said Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai, CEO Lakapi Samoa.

Lakapi Samoa President Namulauulu Sami Leota.

Ms Michiyo Hamada, President of Yazaki Kizuna Foundation said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Lakapi Samoa.”

“We hope that our grants will help young Samoan rugby players realize their dreams for the future. When their dreams come true, the purpose of Yazaki Kizuna Foundation’s grants on the academy programme to contribute to the development of human resources and the expansion of job opportunities in Samoa will also be achieved”.