CONGRATULATIONS FROM GOVERNMENT
I congratulate Marist Saint Joseph’s Sports Club in hosting the 34 th Vailima Marist International Sevens
and the 6 th Sports Season. It is vital to the development of sport in Samoa in building the capacity of our
local athletes and sports administers.

CONNECTION TO PATHWAY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SAMOA 21-26

Marist Sports in important to achieving our Government National Plan. It builds Social Harmony and
Provides Safety when the youth are brought together in tournaments, a safe atmosphere is created for
our women to develop and excel in sports.

Government is focus on Empowering communities, building resilience and inspiring growth. Marist
Sports through the Rugby Sevens, Netball, Boxing, Rugby League, Touch and other sports contribute a
huge role in delivering these outcomes for our social and economic development.

Our Government prioritize our people, and in the PATHWAY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SAMOA, I commend
Marist Sports for their part in our KEY STRATEGIC OUTCOMES OF – IMPROVED SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
& DIVERSIFIED AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY.

ACKNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
I thank and acknowledge the contribution of our development partners Australia, China, New Zealand
and the United Kingdom. Your contribution to the development of Samoa is diversified to cover all
sectors of society.

These are important for generating and moving the economy while we face the challenges of the global
pandemic Covid 19.

PREPATING OUR ATHELETES FOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
Marist Sports always provide the perfect platform for preparation for international competition such as
Pacific Games, Commonwealth and Olympics.

 Marist Boxers – Marion Ah Tong and Ato Faoagali qualified and participated in Tokyo
Olympics 2020.
 Our Womens Rugby Sevens for the first time is being represented by all local players as
a result of development from Marist.

MARIST SPORTS AWARSD – HONOUR AND CELEBRATE OUR PEOPLE
I congratulate individuals and members of our sports community who will be honoured for their lifetime
service to Sports through Marist and Samoa.

O nai tagata ua leva ona tautua ia Samoa e ala I taaloga ma e faataua e le Malō lenei le amanaia o le sao
taua na avea ai ma sui faavaomalo o Samoa.

Lifetime Honorary Award for Service in Sports
Afioga (Mrs) Fiu Mesepi Faamasino-Sialaoa
Former International for Samoa in Netball, Basketball, Rugby and Athletics)
Guest of Honor for Sports
Afioga Galumalemana Gorge Stowers (former Manu Samoa Captain and International)

THANK AND ACKNOWLEDGE OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY
I thank our Business Community for your continuous support in Sports because you are contributing to
the development of our youth, women and people of Samoa. Faamalo le silasila mamao foi.

AS MINISTER OF STATE, ON BEHALF OF GOVERNMENT, (AND PROUDLY A FORMER MARIST HEADBOY
AND PLAYER) I OFFICIALLY DECLARE THE MARIST SPORTS SEASON 2022 – OPEN.