11 July 2019 Government Press Secretariat.To witness young Samoan athletes stepping up to win gold, silver and bronze from the 2019 Pacific Games for our country, is a testament to Government’s long standing ultimatum to invest in our youth, says Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
As of last night, Samoa so far has won six Pacific Games gold medals, four from swimming, one from archery and one from lawn bowls, five of them by young athletes. Added to that are the Gold medals being won by young Weightlifters in the Junior Oceania and Commonwealth championships being held alongside the Pacific Games.
The Prime Minister says that bringing major international sporting events to Samoa is a long standing investment for our youth.
“These events will create new opportunities for our young gifted athletes to realise their full potential,” says the Prime Minister. “Sport is a lucrative career associated with well-paid contracts to support families, villages and our country,” he continued.
“And it’s a bold investment by Government which is commended internationally.”
He said Samoa is always mindful of the spin-offs from hosting international events and he is urging Samoa’s youth to take advantage of every opportunity not just to represent Samoa but to realise their God given talents.
“For me, my participation in the Pacific Games is more to inspire our young people to follow suit,” he said. “Very rare do you see an old chap like myself competing in sports and it’s not for fame but more to motivate and encourage the youth of Samoa,” he said.
Tuilaepa is competing in his second Pacific Games as a team member for Samoa’s Archery.
He won a silver medal in his debut Pacific Games performance, the last time that Samoa hosted the regional event in 2007.
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