An update from the Chef de Mission of Team Samoa at the Commonwealth Games 2022, former tennis medalist Sulā Dengue Soonalole-Sam Chong, states that the of 38 athletes and 17 managers from 7 sports representing Samoa are in good spirits and ready for the games to begin.
The Samoa flag raising ceremony was held this week at the University of Warwick Campus.
“During the flag raising ceremony, Team Samoa presented our gift of tanoa and talavalu to the mayor of Warwick”, reported the Chef de Mission Mrs. Tagifano Soonalole Sam-Chong.
Three Team Samoa members with traditional tattoes danced to an impromptu taualuga to conclude the flag raising ceremony.
Videos taken by bystanders have gone viral on social media, of Manu Samoa 7s Team Analyst, Junior Hari Narayan, captain Melani Matavao, and young Wrestling athlete Taitaifono Tamati givint the audience a glimpse of Samoan tradition, dancing to show off their tatau Samoa.
The scene was well captured well by those who attended the ceremony.
“All management and athletes are all well in Birminghamn” reads the update.
“They continue to hold evening devotionals, and train at every chance they can get..”
Team Samoa attended the official opening of the Commonwealth Games, held at the Alexander Stadium, on Friday 29th July at 7:00am (local time).
The Commonwealth Games opening ceremony was estimated to have been watched by over a billion viewers world wide, attended by Prince Charles, with a speech by women’s rights activist and nobel prize winner, Malala Yousafzai.
Samoa Sevens opens the Games with their first pool match against hosts England.
