Locals and athletes are excited about the start of the Marist International Sports Week.

With the welcoming parade on Wednesday, the action got underway with the Fight for Marist II last night

While for the past 29 years the Marist International Sports week has been predominantly a rugby tournament, Marist Executive member Galumalemana Rudolf Moors, who is also Assistant Director of the Rugby Sevens tournament, said Marist Club is pleased to be expanding the sports on offer his year.

On Wednesday, locals lined the streets to witness both Samoan and international competitors marching towards the government building. 

Alex Ah Ching attended with his infant son to watch the ceremony. He said he was looking forward to the Sevens next Friday.

As expected, many who attended the parade echoed Mr. Ah Ching’s remarks. 

The coach of BBE Vaiala Rugby club, Rudy Leavasa, and Marist committee member Leituala Joe Chan Ting, agreed that the Rugby Sevens was obviously most popular.

Leituala stressed the importance of the Marist International Sport Week in developing the national Samoan Rugby Sevens team. 

“We have a team in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens tournament, so of course we need a tournament here to develop our boys and feed the international team,” he said.

Asked if they would be watching any other events besides the rugby this week, both replied that they would be watching as many as they could, especially boxing which had a lot of success last year and—for the first time—will be host to a number of international competitors this year.