SAMOA, April 7 - E muamua ona ou fa’atulou atu i le paia ma le mamalu ua aofaga potopoto i lenei taeao liu-ga-lua, i le sūsū i lau susuga i le ta’ita’i o le Sauniga;

Afifio sui mamalu ole Kapeneta ole tatou Malo

fa’apea sui mamalu ole Palemene o Samoa

Afifio Sui o Malo mai Fafo,

Afio lau Afioga ile Peresetene ole Lakapi Samoa

Afio lau Afioga ile Taita’ifono ma le Komiti Fa’atonu ole Lakapi Samoa.

Afifio fo’i le Pulega o tatou Au malaga mai fafo mai Iapani, Fiti ma Toga

fa’apea le tatou Pulega ole Manumā

Le paia ma le mamalu o Fa’auluuluga o Matagaluega ma

Fa’alapotopotoga a le Malo, aemaise

Fa’auluuluga o Kamupani o lo’o fai paaga ma le Iuni Lakapi i lenei

fa’amoemoe.

O outou sā ma faigā, o Ie a nu’unu’u atu ia fa’atini o tausala auā e le toe tau fa’amati’eina ou pa’ia e mai le vavau e o’o i le fa’avavau.

Ae avea ai lo’u leo fa’atauvaa e fai ma sui ole tatou Malo, i le Afioga i le Tama’ita’i Palemia, le Kapeneta ma le tatou Malo e fai atu ai se fa’amatalaga auā le tatou mafutaga i lenei aso ma le fa’amoemoe.

E manatu foi i lenei itulā, o lo o filogia la tatou mafutaga ma ua tatau ma onomea ai ona fa’aaogaina le gagana faigofie tatou te feso’ota’i ai.

Hon. Ministers of Cabinet

Members of Parliament

Members of the Diplomatic Corp

President of Lakapi Samoa

Hon. Chairman and the Board of Lakapi Samoa

Heads of Government Officials,

Sponsors & Stakeholders of Lakapi Samoa

Ladies & Gentlemen

On behalf of the Prime Minister and the Government of Samoa, it is with great honor that I extend a heartfelt welcome to the Management and Players from Japan, Fiji, Tonga as well as our own Manuma team this evening as we gather to celebrate the commencement of the World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024.

In the same token, I also extend a warm welcome to all the Officials who will be assisting Lakapi Samoa in hosting the World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024.

Your arrival in Samoa for this prestigious event fills us with immense pride and joy.

Hosting regional event such as this, in the professional era is a huge challenge and we relish this fantastic opportunity to watch the future stars of our region as they seek and prepare to make the next step to full international

professional status on the global stage.

The Ministry of Sports and Recreation, in alignment with the Government of Samoa’s vision, is deeply committed to the development and promotion of sports across our nation. Rugby, in particular, holds a special place in our hearts, not only as our nation’s beloved sport but also as a symbol of our culture, strength, and unity. The World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024 is a wonderful and positive platform that aims to nurture talent and support our athletes, enabling our sportsmen and women to shine on both the regional and global stages.

The World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024 is not just a testament to the spirit of competition; it is a celebration of the bonds that unite us across borders, through our shared passion for rugby. We are immensely proud to host teams from Japan, Fiji, and Tonga, alongside our Manuma team, and to contribute to the rich tapestry of rugby history that connects our nations so deeply.

As we look forward to the thrilling matches that will unfold at Apia Park over the next ten days, we are reminded of the opportunity this tournament presents. It is a chance for emerging stars to showcase their skills, for teams to display the heart and soul of rugby, and for all of us to witness the incredible talent that our region has to offer.

The Government of Samoa and Lakapi Samoa, extends its gratitude to World Rugby for entrusting us with the honor of hosting this significant event. We also wish to express our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors, including Vodafone, Samoa Commercial Bank, SIFA, and the entire family of sponsors, whose financial and in-kind generosity has been pivotal in bringing this tournament to life.

To our distinguished guests and competing teams, we encourage you to immerse yourselves in the wonders of Samoa during your stay. May you find inspiration on the field and forge lasting memories off it as you experience the warmth and hospitality of our people.

In closing, let us all look forward to a tournament filled with fierce competition, exemplary sportsmanship, and unforgettable moments that will undoubtedly contribute to the legacy of rugby in our region.

Welcome to Samoa once again, and may the best team prevail!

Manuia tele le fa’amoemoe.

Soifua ma ia manuia.