Samoa’s best, and smallest young talent will be on show over the days surrounding the final matches of the XIII South Pacific Games – Samoa 2007, at the Toleafoa J.S.
Blatter Playing Fields in Apia.
The ‘Mini South Pacific Games’, organised and hosted by the Samoa Football (Soccer) Federation (SFSF), will see teams from primary schools across the country’s two
main islands of Upolu and Savaii compete for the esteemed mantle – “Primary School Champ of Champs”.
The tournament is taking place on pitch two – where just yesterday the Fijian women’s team and Vanuatu’s men marauded into the semi-finals of the South Pacific Games
proper, and Tahiti and Cook Islands fought memorably with pride on the line.
Two fields have been created – running across the pitch widthways – with adoring parents, family, friends and enthusiastic football fans alike lining the grassy banks
in scenes not dissimilar to those witnessed as the Samoan women came within a whisker of what would have been a sensational effort in qualifying for the main tournament’s next phase.
Despite of the valiant, yet unsuccessful efforts of the country’s senior sides at these South Pacific Games, spirits are tangibly high amongst all involved with the
‘Champ of Champs’ concept.
The SFSF has thrown considerable support behind the event, with President Afioga Toleafoa Tautulu Roebeck and Oceania Football Confederation General Secretary Tai
Nicholas on the list of dignitaries present for the opening ceremony.
“Football has unbelievable potential to not only put Samoa on a world stage competitively, as we have seen over the past few days, but also to be used as a development
tool to foster positive relations in and between community groups, schools, and the church.
“It is my pleasure to be invited to attend this special occasion, where the youth of your beautiful country have the chance to shine on their own stage, and walk in
the footsteps of their heroes.”
Events surrounding the Champ of Champs also have the honour to be ushered in by iconic “MC from Savaii” Tofa Falefata Tuaniu Petaia, and in the esteemed presence of
Reverend Ieriko Sopoaga, Samoan Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture representative Afioga Lemalu Siomia.
The tournament whirlwinds through its own semi-final stage today, with boy’s and girl’s teams from the under 10, 12, and 14 age groups competing for the right to be crowned ‘Samoan Football
(Soccer) Federation Primary Schools Champ of Champs’ after finals day on Thursday.