28 May 2021, Apia Samoa. The SIBFC (Samoa International Business Finance Centre) a subsidiary company of SIFA (Samoa International Finance Authority) in support of youth development is the major sponsor of the Junior Lakapi Championship, launched on Wednesday 26th May 2021 at Tuanaimato, Lakapi Samoa Headquarters.Â
The Junior Lakapi Championship is a new concept aimed at bridging the gap between high performance competition and the current school rugby championship that hosts teams for boys and girls up through age group to 18 years.Â
The tournament consists of selected teams from seven regional schools. There are 4 teams of Under 18 boys and 3 teams of Under 18 girls representing the four regional school zones in Savaii and Upolu.
CEO of Lakapi Samoa Faleomavaega Vincent Fepuleai thanked the Samoa Business Finance Centre for their continuous support and assistance towards the sport of rugby, especially the school competitions.
“We have a historical relationship with SIFA; and are proud to have Samoa International Business Finance Centre – SIBFC as the naming rights of this competition,” said Faleomavaega.
“Supporting school competition is a great way to support Samoa’s youth and provide them with opportunities to excel in sports as an alternative career choice.”
Faleomavaega also acknowledged Her Excellency Sara Moriarty and the Australian government for their support through the Pacific Aus Sports program. “Creating pathways for emerging athletes to benefit from high performance coaching and training is a common goal that the SRU has with the Pacific Aus Sports program and we look forward to more opportunities to work together in the future,” said the SRU CEO.
The Samoa Shipping Corporation has also stepped forward to partner in the Junior Lakapi Championship and Faleomavaega thanked Leiataua Samuel Phineas and his team at SSC for the support.
The CEO made special mention of the ongoing support of the Samoa Secondary Schools Principals’ Association led by President, Siakisone Taleni.
“You have all worked tirelessly behind the scenes to coordinate the regional school zones competitions and national championship competitions in both sevens and fifteens and we acknowledge the ongoing collaboration with Lakapi Samoa”.
The Junior Lakapi Championship is a new concept that aims to further enhance schools rugby in Samoa. The tournament provides an additional stepping stone that strengthens the existing pathway for aspiring school boys and girls dreaming of one day representing Samoa in age grade teams and further down the track in national teams.
It also provides a platform for school coaches, managers, referees and administrators to further enhance their development in a high qualify tournament such as the IBFC Junior Lakapi Championship 2021.
The tournament kicks off today Friday 28th May 2021 at Apia Park with the first match between U18 Girls “D Angels” and “Savaii Queens” at 1pm.
