The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell, has responded to recent remarks by the Chairman of Samoa Rugby, Tuila’epa Lupesoli’ai Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, concerning the lack of government funding for the Manu Samoa 15’s upcoming European tour in November.
In his statement, Minister Laumatiamanu clarified that the government is fully aware of the Manu Samoa 15’s annual European tour, noting that “the schedule for these tours for all international teams has been set out about 12 months in advance.” He further stated, “Samoa Rugby has not submitted a specific request for funding for this particular Manu Samoa 15 tour.”
The Minister explained that while Samoa Rugby did submit a funding request in April, it was for $1.5 million to support the overall plans and objectives of Samoa Rugby. However, this request came at the end of the 2023–2024 financial year, when the remaining budget was already being allocated to other government priorities, including preparations for the Samoa Pacific Games team and the Olympic team for the International Games in France.
Minister Laumatiamanu also noted that $600,000 had already been allocated to support the team’s participation in the World Cup tournament held in October and the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands in November. He mentioned that the government has not received any official request from Samoa Rugby for the 2024–2025 financial year to support the Manu Samoa 15’s European tour.
Tuila’epa’s public remarks had suggested that the government’s failure to provide funding would negatively impact the team’s preparations for their tour. In response, Minister Laumatiamanu assured that further details would be addressed in the upcoming ‘O oe ma lou malo’ program, scheduled to air on Friday, 16th August 2024.
Tuuina atu le tali a le afioga i le Minisita o Taaloga ma Alagaoa o le Ola FIafia o Tagata ia Laumatiamanu Mathew Ringo Purcell i le faaaliga a le Taitaifono o le Lakapi Samoa i le le faataunuuina ai lea o le malaga taamilo a le Manu Samoa ona o mafuaaga tau seleni mo lo outou silafia.
