Lotto gets behind Sports

By Vatapuia Maiava 15 July 2016, 12:00AM

The Samoa Sports Lotto has thrown its weight behind the development of sports in Samoa with a much-needed monetary injection.

The C.E.O. of the Gambling Control Authority, Tuala Siaki Tuala presented $8,000 to boxing and tennis.

$5,000 was presented to the President of the Samoa Amateur Boxing Association (S.A.B.A.), Aualiitia Faafouina Milford to assist with their participation in the inaugural Tri-Nations boxing for amateurs in Fiji.

Another $3,000 was presented to the Chief Executive of Tennis Samoa Inc., Tagaloa Yvonne Curruthers to assist them as they host the East Pacific Junior Qualifying Tournament in August.

 “These presentations go in line with sports lotto’s policy of supporting developing sports in Samoa as well as charities and none profitable organizations such as Nuanua Oh Le Alofa,” said Tuala.

According to Tuala, this isn’t the first time they have assisted these sports organizations and it won’t be the last.

“Over the years we have helped S.A.B.A. with their programmes,” he said. “As you know the government tries to assist through Samoa Sports Lotto the development of sports in Samoa.

“We also fund the sports bonus programmes where the government rewards successful sports people who have competed internationally.

“There is also a sports bonus scheme that that Sports Lotto administers and we fund from the proceeds of our national lottery.

“The funding for sports organizations is subject to strict criteria.

“They have to meet the criteria that we provide them; an example would be that they have to be a non-profit junior incorporated organization.

“They have to be involved in the development of sports in Samoa; this can be Tennis, Squash, Volleyball, Boxing and to some extend we also fund the Samoa Rugby Union.

“Over the years Sports Lotto has supported a lot of organizations for different things.”

According to Tuala, there have been a few that have not met the criteria before in the past.

“Out of all the requests we get there are some organizations that do not meet our criteria and are not properly organized,” he said.

“For example, they are not incorporated and do not have any financial accounts.

“We want the money to assist the development of our youth and that is either through the participation at international tournaments; or with tournaments hosted locally.”

 The two sports organization received the support full of gratitude.

By Vatapuia Maiava 15 July 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>