Flag Day International Rugby 7’s
On behalf of the American Samoa Government and people of American Samoa, I offer our warmest congratulations to the President, Taupau Tauileave Toluono and Marist St. Joseph’s Pago Sports Club for hosting the 4th Vailima Marist Pago Flag Day International Sevens. I further extend a heartfelt welcome to all teams from our neighbouring brothers in Apia and the Auckland Marist Team representing New Zealand. I am also pleased to acknowledge the representation of Fiji by our local based Fijian expats which testifies to our thriving international community.
Afifio mai and welcome to American Samoa! I am pleased to endorse the Marist Pago International Sevens as part of our 2023 Flag Day celebrations.
The Government of American Samoa champions these efforts by our sport associations as they create opportunities for our aspiring youth and enhance professional capacity of our rugby officials. They provide concrete platforms for implementing national plans by the American Samoa Rugby Union in building a stronger pool of players for national selection as we advance rugby beyond the twilight of the global pandemic.
Our beloved sons and daughters have excelled internationally in sports and I am confident that the tournament will provide the same for our youth and officials. They can only be achieved from continuous initiatives such as Marist Pago Sevens in conjunction with our mother union. I acknowledge the contribution from our local businesses for the support and faith entrusted in Marist Pago as flagship for our companies in community service. Their assistance enables extra support to government towards our nation-wide social developments.
Beyond the competition, it is a simple opportunity to renew and strengthen our connection with Samoa and the region. Individuals will share experiences and exchange expertise from rugby to business plans. It engages our youth in career mentoring, enhances leadership apprenticeship and most important the recognition towards our women for gender equality. The tournament yields more social and economic opportunities beyond parameters of the rugby field.
I convey the best wishes of the government and my unequivocal support to the organizers and partners in hosting once again, one of Tutuila and Manua’s most exciting tournament on island.
Ia manuia lo outou alofaiva ma ia uluulu mātāfolau tapenaga mo le faamoemoe. Tautai le Atua.
Soifua ma ia manuia,
