A shining future beckons for the football family of Samoa with the inauguration of the latest FIFA Goal Project at J.S. Blatter Playing Complex.
Samoa Football Soccer Federation (SFSF)celebrated in style as the vibrant island nation hosted guests from FIFA, Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), just three days out from
the start of the XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007.
Dignitaries such as FIFA Vice President/OFC President Reynald Temarii and Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi spoke to a crowd of two hundred that had gathered
to mark the occasion.
Samoa’s floodlight project is part of the FIFA Goal project that began in earnest in July 2001, when two high-quality, international-standard football pitches were implemented.
A multi-purpose football-specific building now stands between the two fields. Not only will the facility meet and exceed the corporate and media requirements for the men’s and
women’s football tournament at the XIII South Pacific Games, but also provide seating for hundreds of spectators that are expected to attend.
The illumination of the floodlights bathed the ground in a symbolic light as Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi addressed those gathered.
“Football is a growing sport in Samoa and suits the physiology of our people in so many respects. In our schools, football is the most popular sport giving rugby a close run in
popularity,” he said.
FIFA Vice President/OFC President Reynald Temarii said that taking football
to the islands and raising its profile is not only important for
competition and reaching elite levels, but perhaps more so as an
educational tool for the significant youth population within the
greater Oceania region.
In a moment of levity, MC Fata Tuaniu asked the crowd to “pretend it is very dark” – as New Caledonian-born FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League winner Christian Karembeu, along with Temarii
and Malielegaoi unveiled a commemorative plaque as the lights were switched on for their first public performance.
A large
crowd congregated to listen to Karembeu speak directly to
local children about reaching their potential, despite often humble
beginnings. The group also relished the opportunity to take in an impromptu skills session, driven by Karembeu (pictured left) – along with SFSF Senior
Development Officer/Technical Director Malo Vaga, Mexican missionary Marco Zamora, and local identity Father John Walnciej. Temarii and Karembeu joined members of
the Samoan national men’s and women’s football teams in celebration as local children kicked footballs on the surface of the main pitch as twilight fell and the floodlights took their
effect.