NEWSROOM: 24 February - 01 March 2008

Samoa Welcomes Oceania Boxing Academy
01 March 2008 - Source: ABC Radio Australia

Samoa is set to become the centre of Oceania boxing.

The sport's international administrator, the AIBA, has approved plans to establish the Oceania Boxing Academy on the outskirts of Apia.

Oceania Boxing Association president, Lohial Nuau, says Samoa's Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, has agreed that they should move into the Oceania Weightlifting Institute's quarters.

"Oh, I am convinced in every sense in Samoa, because the facilities are magnificent; they are super." Mr Nuau said.

"The facilities are there, accommodation is good and it is all moving in the right direction, it is easy for the Pacific to get there and that is why we are establishing the Oceania Boxing Academy there."

Samoa was announced as the host of the regional Olympic qualifiers earlier this week, replacing Australia, who did not comply with the rules of competition.

Manukau Rovers Womens Rugby Team returns home
29 February 2008 - Source: Greyson Funeral Services

The Manukau Rovers Womens Rugby Team returned home last week from Samoa after
winning the Marist St Josephs International Sevens held at the Apia Park Stadium before a crowd of 2500.

The Rovers beat local favourites 'Town Warriors' 17-5 after finding themselves down 0-5 at the break. Quick tries early in the second half to Bella Milo, Margaret Tai and Otahuhu College student Maitua Feterika sealed Town Warriors fate. Town Warriors were largely made up
of the Samoa 7's team to Papua New Guinea in December of last year.

Earlier in the tournament Manukau disposed of Falefa 38-0 and Vaimauga Raiders 25-0. The winning of the tournament was also accompanied by Margaret Tai being named player of the tournament. Manukau Rovers completed a 100% winning tour after their 31-12 win over the Presidents XV earlier in the week.


The Samoa Womens Rugby Steering Committee will look to the Rovers tour as the start of future tours between New Zeand and Samoa club teams. Balls and ties gifted by the Auckland Rugby Union were presented to the Falefa Village Team, referees and key local stakeholders.

Savaii dead against switching sides
28 February 2008 - Source: SUNGO Press Release

This People Against Switching Sides (PASS) Committee held a Public Meeting for Savaii residents this morning at the Evaeva Club in Salelologa. The purpose of the meeting was to increase public awareness and to provide an avenue for members of the general public to voice their views and concerns on Government’s decision to change the side of the road on which vehicles travel in Samoa.

The proceedings were lead by matais of Savaii, Pauli Apelu and Matamua Tautua of Salelologa. PASS Committee Chairman Toleafoa Solomona Toailoa gave an opening address to outline the issues before handing the discussion over to the people of Savaii, to express their views.

The meeting was attended by over 100 matais of Savaii with most districts of Savaii well represented. The voice of the people of Savaii was clear – they are dead against the switch. The feedback was very emotional, with every speaker raising issues of concern about road safety and the likelihood of people dying as a result of unsafe roads. An alarming number of speakers spoke frankly about the process of democracy and good governance, with the view that government leaders no longer respected the voice of the people, and no longer cared to heed to advice.

Pauli Asora of Salelologa expressed concerns that the Prime Minister leads the nation as he would direct his own children. “He talks down on us, like he’s speaking to his own kids.”

Utuallii Ave of Faga used the example of banning cartons of herring to make the point that decisions which are supposed to help people end up making life more difficult and more costly for people.

Toala Faafoi of Sili was concerned about the immunity clause being included in the bill, and wanted to have the right to sue the government if a member of his family were to incur injuries from an accident pertaining to the switch. He requested the media to air the comments of Toleafoa over the television for all to see and become aware of the issues.

Matamua Tautua of Salelologa said that the Puleono of Salafai were definitely not in support of the government’s decision. “The correct are not learned, and the learned are not correct.” E sa’o ae le a’o, e a’o foi ae le sa’o. Using this to express his views of premature government decisions based on political issues which have now ignored the needs of the people.

An elderly mother, Faamuli of Palauli pleaded for peace and safety in Samoa and did not want her children exposed to unsafe roads.

The meeting ended with the formation of PASS Savaii – a committee of Savaii matais who will take the move forward. They proposed a series of seminars to be conducted throughout Savaii for further clarification of the message, and for residents to become more aware of the issues.

The meeting was covered by TV3 and Triangle TV. Members of the government newspaper, Savali, were also present.

Indonesia hands over hand-tractors to Samoa and Tonga
27 February 2008 - Source: ANTARA News

Indonesia has handed 12 units of hand-tractors to Samoa and 13 others to Tonga as part of the realization of the South-South cooperation in the agricultural field, an Indonesian diplomat at the Indonesian Embassy in New Zealand said on Saturday.

"The 12 units of hand-tractors were handed to Samoa by Minister of Agriculture Anton Apriyantono on Tuesday," First Secretary of the Embassy Tri Purnajaya said.

The hand-tractors were received by Minister of Fishery of Samoa Taua Tavaga K. Seuala in a function attended by Samoa`s Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi and some of his cabinet ministers.

Minister Anton said the assistance was expected to tighten the brotherhood relations between Samoa and Indonesia.

The assistance, he added, also reflected the efforts of the two countries in intensifying the bilateral ties between the two, mainly in the agricultural sectors under the frame of the South-South Cooperation, he added.

Samoa`s Minister for Agriculture and Fishery Taua Tavaga K. Seuala, meanwhile welcomed the Indonesian assistance.

Taua also had a chance to try the equipment with the help of the Indonesian technical team.

Minister Anto also paid a cordial visit on Samoa`s Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, the 13 units of hand-tractors were handed to Tonga`s government by Indonesian Ambassador to New Zealand Amris Hassan on Friday.

Digicel launch Leap Year special
26 February 2008 - Source: Digicel Samoa Limited

During the launch of the Leap Year promotions, Digicel promised a surprise towards the end of the month of February and as promised Digicel is offering the best ever, once in four years handset offer.

The Coral 100 handset is now on offer at a very competitive price of ONLY $29.00 (handset comes with a free SIM card and free credits).

The $29 Special Offer is based on February’s extra day, the 29th.

Offer starts on Monday 25 February 2008 and ends Friday 29 February 2008 or till stocks last, whichever comes first; there are limited stocks available.

To celebrate the 29th day in the month of February, Digicel Samoa Ltd. is has six exciting offers to give all its customers an amazing Leap Year experience.

The Leap Year promotion revolves around the numbers 29 (February’s extra day) and four (leap years come around once every four years).

Digicel is rewarding all its loyal customers and at the same time offering Samoa a once-in-four-year experience.

Leap Year promotions currently running till end of February:

1) Every Monday for the month of February is a Crazy Monday - Every Top Up on Crazy Monday, will receive 29% Free Credit. With Digicel on Crazy Monday, everyone’s a winner. Top Up on Crazy Monday and get 29% Free Credit.
* Applies to Digicel Prepaid Subscribers only.

2) Every Tuesday for the month of February is Cash Tuesday - Every Top Up on Cash Tuesday will go into the draw for 29 Winners to win 4 times the value of their top up in cash. If a customer tops up $100 on Cash Tuesday, their number will go into a draw to win $2,900 cash, it’s as simple as that.
* The offer applies to Digicel prepaid subscribers only.

3) Every Wednesday of the month of February is ‘Seki a’ Wednesday - Prepaid customers who talk for 4 minutes or more will be in to win a brand new laptop. Draw to be held weekly on Wednesdays (1 more laptop to go).
Talk for 4 minutes and be into win 1 of 4 laptops on ‘Seki a’ Wednesday.

4) Handset Special – Win a laptop!
Buy any handset from Digicel to enter the draw to win a brand new laptop.
Promotion starts 04 February 2008. Draw will be held on 29th of February and to add to the Leap year excitement, every 29th customer will win a Surprise Gift Pack from Digicel. Surprise Gift Pack may contain a mobile phone, cash, or Digicel merchandise.

5) Postpaid Customers who make international calls throughout the month of February will be entered into the draw to win one of 2 laptops.

6) Postpaid Customers who clear their January bill before Feb 20th will be entered into the draw to win one of 2 laptops.

Updates on Baby Miracle’s surgery progress
25 February 2008 - Source: Papali'i Caroline Ah Chong

Talofa lava Family and Friends....from sunny South Beach, Florida! Not having regular access to a computer has made it difficult for us to keep you updated directly on a regular basis with baby Miracle's progress!

However as previously advised I hope you have been logging on to her Carepage....carepage.com "baby miracle"....for regular updates and photos.

Dr John Adams unfortunately had to leave us last Sunday to fly to LA and onward to Samoa. His patients need him back home! He has promised that he will let everyone know how baby Miracle is doing. It was wonderful having him on board as our doctor and we were sad to see him return home.

It’s Thursday afternoon and we are in the offices of Child Foundation...the not for profit organisation which is helping us raise funds for Miracle's medical bills at Miami Children’s Hospital. Their board comprises mostly of the surgeons and specialists who are tending to baby Miracle.

Baby Miracle is thriving...the hospital put her on Enfamil formula and she loves it. She has rosy cheeks and is now a healthy 10lbs 6oz! Mummy Sefulu and Daddy Mikaele are also doing well and the whole family love it here in Florida.

Hospital staff, members from the Child Foundation, and our family and friends living here in Florida have been wonderful and caring....calling to see how we are....visiting us with food supplies etc.

Tomorrow Friday.....she will have her first MRI...prepping her for her operation next week. She has already had hearing tests which will be continued and more in depth when she has her operation.

Next Monday....Child Foundation Inc of Miami Florida is putting together a welcome ceremony for baby Miracle....the media / hospital officials / catholic clergy & sisters / a few of the Samoan community reps here in Florida will all be invited.

Tuesday....will be pre op preps and most probably baby will be admitted overnight.

Wednesday....will be operation day...unless otherwise advised by the hospital. The specialists / surgeons hope to operate on her back / face / hands / feet and ears all at the same time. Given that each area is a specialized field there will be a surgeon in attendance for each one. The doctors anticipate a 5 day recovery period in hospital.

One of the specialists in the team is an Australian surgeon from Sydney Children’s Hospital. It is wonderful to know that we now also have a link to Australia in the event we have other children that need help.

Australia is closer to Samoa than USA!

Kristin and I are both well and are happy that baby is finally here and under the best medical care that Miami Children’s Hospital has to offer.

Everything is centred around the health of children and most especially those with special needs and deformities.

Please continue to check baby Miracle's CAREPAGE.com for continued updates and photos which we will post as each day unfolds.

Missing Samoa and you all. Please keep the prayers coming. Baby needs your love and prayers.

Alofa tele atu
God bless,

Carol
 

Tautai Outrigger Canoe Club discover Manono
24 February 2008 - Source: Tautai Outrigger Canoe Club

At 8am this Saturday, a team of social paddlers from Tautai Outrigger Canoe Club launched into their first long paddle and a discovery tour of two of Samoa's smaller islands; Manono and Nu'ulopa.

The paddlers, most of whom have only been involved in the sport for six months, have been preparing for this 14 kilometre event since the beginning of 2008. Three highly experienced paddlers as well as a support boat with a first aid team will be assisting the crew in the event.

Outrigger canoes were originally developed for sea travel by the Austronesian speaking peoples of the islands of Southeast Asia. They were used to transport people throughout Polynesia and are still commonly used for fishing and transport today. Outrigger canoeing is also an increasingly popular sport in Samoa and last year saw the Samoan Open Men's crew, claim a bronze medal in the V6 500m South Pacific Games event.

At a competitive level, endurance and speed are two of the necessary skills to participate in this sport but the focus for this weekend's social event will be to see some of Samoa's most beautiful natural resources in the way Samoa's ancestors did. The event will be conducted across two days with an overnight stay on Manono Island.

"On behalf of all of the members of Tautai Outrigger Canoe Club I would like to express my sincere thanks to the people of Manono and Nu'ulopa Islands, the Samoa Outrigger Canoe Association, Betham Bros, Nynette Sass of the Samoa Hoteliers Association and Aqua Samoa. Without the assistance of all of these parties the event would not be going ahead," said the Secretary of Tautai Outrigger Canoe Club, Saju Abraham.

Tautai Outrigger Canoe Club trains daily from Mulinu'u boat ramp.
Wednesday's are dedicated to social paddlers whilst on the other days of the week, training sessions are held for junior, men's and women's teams. The club is always open for new members.

For information about getting involved please contact Konrad Lober on khl@kramer.com.au
 

Back to Top               Gallery Week Archive