Fagalii men’s volleyball team was crowned the champions of the Samoa Volleyball Association’s Open Tournament, which concluded on Saturday at the Tuanaimato Gym.
There was a good turnout for the tournament with the participation of emerging players.
Fagalii had a pulsating and heated match against Knights, but the experience of the Fagalii outfit helped them cruise through.
Leading the team to victory was Fagalii’s captain, Vaoita Togafau, who played a vital role in ensuring the team kept their cool under the constant barrage from the Knights during the finals.
“We entered the game aiming to win after all the preparations we put in for the tournament. Like everything else, we had our challenges, and praise God, we delivered and achieved it without any injuries,” he said.
“We are very happy, and we give God all the glory for today’s achievement.
What a journey we had with all the other teams; they really set the bar so high, and I am truly inspired by most of the players and the effort they put in,” Mr. Togafau told Samoa Newshub.
The tournament took place over a period of three months starting from February this year, but preparations for Fagalii volleyball club alone commenced in November 2023.
The Fagalii team has fourteen players; unfortunately, some are out of the country, leaving only eight members playing in this tournament.
The winning team is now looking forward to the upcoming tournament in June, and the coach, Eneliko Tui, is proud of how far the team has come.
The Knights secured second place, and making it to the finals is not new to them. Nevertheless, minor mistakes led to their defeat, but they will surely come back stronger, according to their coach, Nifae Magele.
Fa’aliliuina i le gagana Samoa
E taufai malolosi uma au voli i le itupā o ali’i i le Ta’amilosaga Voli a le Asosi Volipolo a Samoa na fa’amaeaina ananafi, ae na tulaga ese le au a Fagali’i ina ua avea ma Siamupini o lea ta’amilosaga.
Na a’asa finauga a le au a Fagali’i ma le malosi fo’i o le au a le Knights mai Vaitele Fou i le sailiga siamupini, ma e vavalalata ai, ae peitai na manumalo Fagali’i i seti uma e lua.
I le fa’atalanoaga ma le Kapeteni o le au a Fagali’i ia Vaoita Togafau, na ia saunoa ai e le fou ia Fagali’i le manumālo, ae e fa’amaualalo pea ma finau, aua e leo fa’atamala foi isi au na o latou tausinio.
Na ia fa’afetaia aiga ma uo na lagolago atu i le taumafaiga, ae sili o le tulimatai nei ile Ta’amilsaga lona lua o le ne tausaga i le fa’agatama lava lenei, ia Iuni.