NEWSROOM: 23 March - 29 March 2008

Sri Lanka check champs Samoa in Hong Kong Sevens
29 March 2008 - Source: Daily Mirror

A second half try by the experienced Radhika Hettiarachchi reduced the margin as Sri Lanka were defeated by defending champions Samoa 35-7 in the first game of the 32nd Hong Kong Sevens championship here at the Hong Kong stadium today.

Sri Lanka’s gutsy youngsters produced some surprise moves to check the strong Samoans with hard tackles as they put up a spirited show against their bigger opponents.

Amjad Buksh, Sanjeewa Jayasinghe, Radhika Hettiarachchi, Fazil Marija and skipper Pradeep Liyanage were the Sri Lankan playmakers as they led the forays.

Samoa prop Alafoti Fa’Osililiva scored three easy tries to give his team a 21-0 lead at half time, but in the second half Sri Lanka played better to contain Samoa.

After Samoa scored again in the second half (28-0), in the sixth minute Hettiarachchi scored under the posts after picking up a loose ball from the Samoa 40 metre line.

Saliya Kumara converted the try.

Samoa again scored to make the final scores 35-7.

“We faced a really hard time in the middle but the standard has improved”, said Sri Lanka coach Rawiri Mako.

“We can produce a much better game tomorrow against England and Canada”.

Skipper Pradeep Liyanage said: We are more concerned about Canada which we can win”.

Day first results- Australia beat Hong Kong (24-12), Kenya beat China(47-Nil), Fiji beat Korea (42-07), South Africa beat Japan (40-7), Samoa beat Sri Lanka (35-7) , New Zealand beat Chinese Taipei (50-5).

Talk your way to the Super 14 finals
28 March 2008 - Source: Digicel Samoa Ltd Press Release

Super 14, the premiere rugby tournament in the Southern hemisphere, is a 16 week long rugby fiesta. Performance, consistency and desire are the three main differentiators for Super 14 Teams between making it to the finals or breaking it. Digicel’s sponsorship of the living rooms in every Samoan household, now takes you to the Super 14 Finals.

Talk your way to the Super 14 finals!

The promotion is passed on the point’s tabulation system of the Super 14 competition.
Digicel will track the performance of all our loyal customers.
Every customer who clocks 14 minutes or more daily qualifies for this promotion.
Your consistency and performance will be rated on a point basis.

Daily Win – You score 4 points when you reach 14 minutes per day
Bonus Point – Bonus point will be awarded for every additional 7 minutes above the 14 minutes per day.

The more you talk, the more points you score; the two people who score the most points will go to the finals!


Prizes
• Super 14 Package (1 winners)
• Ticket to Finals, Air Fare, ST $1400.00 as spending Cash

Consolation Prizes (12 winners)
• Super 14 Merchandise (Jersey, Cap, Team Logo Ball, Keychain) of their choice Team.

Weekly Winners (6 winners)
• T shirts, Team Logo Balls, Credits, and many more.


SYNERGIES

Super 14
Two teams reach the finals, based upon the most consistent performance, rewarded through points.

Digicel Promotion
Two Subscribers go to the finals, based upon the most consistent usage rewarded through points.

1 try equivalent to 7 points: 14 minutes (2 tries) qualify you to the promotion. Every addn. 7 minutes (try) awarded bonus points.
More tries scored get bonus points performance, consistency and desire – Key to make it to the Finals – Performance, consistency and desire – Key to make it to the finals

Make you talk, the more points you score.

Terms and Conditions:
Applies to on net calls, calls to international, calls to landlines.
A daily total of 14 minutes can be 14 calls of 1 minute each or 7 calls of 2 minutes each so on so forth.
Applies only to Prepaid Customers
Kick Off, 27th March 2008.

Final Whistle, 15th May 2008.

MORE:

Top up and win P9901 winners:

Malili Ioane of Apia
Fiailoa Amituanai of Vaitele Fou
Tuitolovaa Talitiga Tasi of Aleisa and Salailua


Digicel is proud sponsor of several national rugby teams across the Pacific including, Fiji Rugby, Digicel Fiji Sevens, Digicel Pacific Islanders Rugby Team and the Digicel PukPuks.

Digicel Pacific Ltd is a sister company to Digicel Group, the largest mobile operator in the Caribbean and new entrant to the Central American Mobile Market.

For more information, please visit www.digicelpacific.com 

Photo Caption: Mahendra Mahimkar & Toalepai Waikato from Digicel Samoa Limited with Marketing Coordinator of Bluesky Communication in American Samoa, Sherry Sele; Digicel giving out prizes to the winners of this week's top-up; Toalepai with winners of Digicel's top-up this week, Tolovaa Talitiga Tasi, Malili Ioane & Fiailoa Amituanai

National University of Samoa 2007 Graduation
27 March 2008 - Source: National University of Samoa Press Release

The National University of Samoa will host two graduation ceremonies on Friday 28 March 2008 at Apia Park Gymnasium for the 2007 academic year.

Since the merger of Samoa Polytechnic with NUS in 2006, this will be the first joint day of graduation ceremonies for the Institutes of Technology and Higher Education. Befitting of the occasion, His Highness Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese Efi, the Head of State and newly invested Chancellor of the University will award the certificates and confer the degrees of nearly 600 graduands.

The NUS Graduation Day will begin at 08.00am with a procession for the graduands from the Vaisigano Bridge to the Apia Park Gymnasium. This will be followed by the first graduation ceremony which will commence at 10.00am to 12.00pm for the Institute of Higher Education. The ceremony will be blessed by Reverend Oka Fauolo, President of the Council of Churches and the special guest speaker will be Professor David Skegg, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago. Professor David Skegg is a distinguished ‘cancer’ researcher and has led the University of Otago as Vice-Chancellor since 2004. He is a strong advocate for improving public health, and has served as Chair of the former New Zealand Public Health Commission and is also a former Chair of the Health Research Council of New Zealand.

The second Graduation ceremony for the Institute of Technology will follow at 04.00pm to 06.00pm. This will be blessed by Reverend Tevita Amituana’I of the Methodist Church of Matafele. The special guest speaker will be Tofā Latu Sauluitoga Kupa, Managing Director of KEW Consultant Limited. Latu is a successful consultant and is a registered mechanical engineer from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. He has held senior management positions in the Government of Samoa and prior to the establishment of KEW in May 2003, he occupied the position of General Manager for Samoa Water Authority (since 1993).

The NUS graduation ceremonies are open to all media and members of the public.

NUS 2007 GRADUATION
Venue: Apia Park Gymnasium
Date: Friday 28 March 2008
Times: Institute of Higher Education 10.00am to 12.00pm
Institute of Technology 04.00pm to 06.00pm

SCANZ take out Prime Minister’s Cup for the third time
26 March 2008 - Source: Samoa International Cricket Association Press Release

The Easter Break is finally over and so too is the Prime Minister’s Cup for 2008. Teams from Australia and New Zealand competed in this year’s Cup; challenging our local Prime Minister’s XI as well as the Development XI for the first time. Over the three days four teams battled it out in a round robin competition. With several big hitters, quality fielding and some fierce bowling attacks, it certainly made for an exciting Prime Minister’s Cup!

Round one saw SCANZ (Samoa Cricket Association, New Zealand) take on our young boys in the Development XI. Reigning champs for the last two years, SCANZ showed that they were still a force to be reckoned with as they smashed a mammoth 360 runs off their 40 overs! Top scorers for SCANZ were Graeme Tofilau on 79 runs followed by SCANZ skipper Ronnie Turner who hit 71 runs. The score proved far too difficult for the Development XI who were bowled out for 122 runs. Winston Mariner from SCANZ finished with best figures of the day with 3/41 off 8 overs.
One the other field our PM XI took on the Abbottsford Anglers (Melbourne team) and secured their first win for the tournament. They bowled out the Anglers for 137 runs and cruised on by to pass their total with ten overs to spare and seven wickets in hand. PM XI skipper Geoff Clarke led his team to victory, top scoring with 31 not out. Osana Faiilagi was pick of the bunch from the bowlers, taking 2/18 from six overs.

The honourable Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi made an appearance on the opening days play, sticking around after the match to chat with some of the local boys. He kindly posed for photo’s with each of the team’s, before jet setting out of the country. The Prime Minister was presented with a Trophy donated by the Abbottsford Anglers, for his team’s first round win against the Melbourne boys.

In Round two the Abbottsford Anglers claimed their first win. They defeated the Development XI who were bowled out for 136 runs. National cricket coach and former back cap, Murphy Su’a played in the Development XI to guide some of the young and upcoming boys. He lead the team with the bat for the second time, finishing with 46 runs. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to get his team over the line, the Abbottsford Anglers passing their score in the 34th over with 4 wickets in hand. Lyal Johnson top scored on 36 not out with Richie Ramone not far behind on 23 runs. Anglers skipper Howie McCorkell demolished the Development XI, finishing with 4/19.

Spectators would probably agree that this was the match of the tournament, when SCANZ took on our local PM XI. Both teams were looking to make it two straight wins, and knew each would have to work hard to get it. SCANZ elected to bat and got off to a shaking start, losing three of their top four batters within minutes of each other. After 5 overs the PM XI had SCANZ 3/15. Skipper Ronnie Turner took control, smashing 60 runs, whilst Ben Mailata scored 37 runs not out, steering their team to a total of 193. It was definitely going to be a challenge for our PM XI to achieve, but our boys were confident they could do it. Local Skipper Geoff Clarke stood up once again hitting 45 runs. The only other batsmen who could build a partnership was number nine batter Lautala Fuimaono who scored 21 runs. Sadly no one else stood up and our PM XI were left all out for 125 runs.

During the lunch time break on Saturday cricket development officers Tina Macumber and Perelini Mulitalo held a cricket clinic for the blind and visually impaired. This was definitely a highlight to the day’s play, as both international teams watched on in amazement with the skills each of these individuals demonstrated. The crowd cheered loudly as the blind and visually impaired cricketers fielded balls and threw them straight over the bails and into the keeper! It was an incredible showcase of talent and something that impressed everyone who was around to witness it.

Easter Monday started off with a little rain, which meant the game’s had to be delayed. Once the rain eased up our Prime Minister’s XI took on our Development XI in the third and final round.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, the PM XI finished with 187 runs. Coming in at first drop Uala Kaisara led the charge, hitting 91 runs. The Development XI could only manage 53 runs as they were all bowled out in the 26th over. Toto’a Sauniatu and Alesana Lui both finished with 3 wickets a piece.

It was a clash of the internationals on the other side of the Garden Cricket Ovals as SCANZ took on the Abbottsford Anglers. SCANZ needed one more win to clinch the Prime Minister’s Cup for the third time running. They were certainly on the right track, batting first and hitting a massive 304 runs from 40 overs. Ken Turner hit an unbelievable 10 sixes and 7 fours, including 5 sixes in a row! He finished up with 123 runs and set his team up for a very impressive total. Howie McCorkell was once again the Anglers best bowler, finishing with 3 wickets. After the break the Abbottsford Anglers didn’t last too long out in the middle. They were all out for 57 runs. Daniel Timaloa from SCANZ took 3/17.

A presentation was held after Monday’s play, where Samoa International Cricket Association’s (SICA) President Mr. Seb Kohlhase delivered a humble speech. He thanked all those involved who made the tournament such a success. He also made special mention to the Abbottsford Anglers cricket club who kindly donated brand new cricket equipment, t-shirts and hats. The entire amount of donated merchandise came to a total of $WST10, 000.00. This equipment will go towards the school development program, our local competition and our national team. The Abbottsford Anglers contribution will make a huge impact on the development of cricket in Samoa, and SICA are extremely grateful for their support.


PRIME MINISTER’S CUP 2008 RESULTS:
Round 1
PM XI 109 def Abbottsford XI 108
PM XI Best – Geoff Clarke 31 not out, Frank Griffin 29 not out & Osana Faiilagi 2/18
Abbotsford Best – Richie Ramone 18 runs
SCANZ 360 def Development XI 122
SCANZ Best – Graeme Tofilau 79 runs, Ronnie Turner 71 runs & Winston Mariner 3/41
Development Best – Murphy Su’a 42 runs, Tiafala Paeone 15 not out & Aleki Asoni 2/47

Round 2
Abbottsford 137 def Development 136
Development Best – Murphy Su’a 46 runs, Muliaga Afisa 20 runs, Eucharist Faatau 20 runs & Aleki Asoni 2/15
Abbottsford Best – Lyal Johnson 36 not out, Richie Ramone 23 runs & Howie McCorkell 4/19
SCANZ 193 def PM XI 125
SCANZ Best – Ronnie Turner 60 runs, Sipi 46 runs & Daniel Timaloa 4/23
PM XI Best – Geoff Clarke 45 runs, Lautala Fuimaono 21 runs & Sone Kaisara 3/24

Round 3
SCANZ 304 def Abbottsford 57
SCANZ Best – Ken Turner 123 runs & Daniel Timaloa 3/17
Abbottsford Best – Howie McCorkel 3/31
PM XI 187 def Development XI 53
PM XI Best – Uala Kaisara 91 runs & Toto’a Sauniatu 3/6, Alesana Lui ¾
Development Best – Pritchard Pritchard 11 runs & Muliaga Afisa 1/30

Most runs scored – Ronnie Turner 159 runs (71 / 60 / 28) SCANZ
Most wickets taken – Daniel Timaloa 7 wickets (2 / 4 / 3) SCANZ

Coral reef seminar with the media of Samoa
25 March 2008 - Source: SPREP

The importance of the media, the coral reef and climate change were issues raised during a media seminar held by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Journalists Association of Samoa (JAWS) at SPREP headquarters today.

In his opening remarks, Asterio Takesy, Director of SPREP, welcomed participants to the seminar and stressed the importance of the media in raising awareness of issues such as those addressed by the Pacific Year of the Reef.

SPREP’s Coral Reef Management Officer, Caroline Vieux, identified the various threats to coral, including those resulting from global climate change.

“Of all the problems associated with climate change, accelerated sea level rise may actually be of lesser concern to coral as it has the ability to adapt to grow to rising seas.”
However, Vieux did stress that coral cannot adapt to other climate-related alterations such as rising water temperatures or increased water acidity.

“It’s easy for us to blame sea level rise for all our coastal problems, but in addition to climate change we must also address other causes of damage to reefs, such as dredging and waste. Action is needed now, and that is what we hope to convey through the Year of the Reef,” Vieux stated.

SPREP and JAWS are working together to help build the capacity of local media to report on environmental issues. The 2008 Pacific Year of the Reef was the topic of their first joint seminar this year.

It is hoped that in future SPREP will be able to strengthen the partnership with JAWS through future media seminars on other topics, including climate change, which has been a request from JAWS to SPREP.

Samoa's organic coconut oil a good template
24 March 2008 - Source: NIU FM

Samoa's ground breaking international success with marketing its organic coconut oil is being held up as a model for other Pacific countries.

Recently an initiative from the Samoan Women in Business organisation resulted in a major contract being signed to supply the international skincare firm The Body Shop with up to 30 tonnes a year of certified organic coconut oil.

There are about 200 organic farms in Samoa, and they're earning just over $3 for a kilo for the oil, with another 50 cents a kilo going into a community development fund.

Oxfam Director Barry Coates says the organic niche market increases the coconut oil's value by 40% and if copied by other producers, it could be a major boom for Pacific exports.
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Samoa Head of State accepts university chancellor position
23 March 2008 - Source: Radio New Zealand International

Samoa’s Head of State, Tui-Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, has finally assumed the role as Chancellor for the National University of Samoa, after Cabinet approval last year.

Speaking during an official ceremony, the head of state reminded the government that as an MP he had strongly opposed to the establishment of the National University.

Tui-Atua says that when the government decision was made for him to become the next Chancellor he sought an explanation from the secretary for the Cabinet what this would involve.


Photo Caption: Samoa's Head of States who is also the Chancellor for the National University of Samoa, His Highness Tui-Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi with Masiofo Filifilia Tui-Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and members of Parliament; Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Matt Anderson with Tui-Atua; The National University of Samoa, located at Le Papagalagala.

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