Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Football Federation of American Samoa (FFAS) has applied to the American Samoa Government (ASG) and has been given the green light, to extend the term of the original lease of a government-owned property located in the village of Tafuna.

The original lease was duly executed by ASG and FFAS and subsequently recorded on October 31, 2023.

The term of the original lease was nine (9) years, eleven (11) months and twenty-nine (29) days, commencing on December 01, 2023 and expiring on November 27, 2033.

According to a letter from Acting Governor Talauega E.V. Ale dated November 06, 2023, to Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, it stated that the “Lessee has provided timely notice of their desire to exercise the option granted in the lease to extend the original term to fifty-five (55) years, expiring on November 30, 2078. Accordingly, the parties have executed an extension amendment, and I respectfully request your approval.”

The matter was first mentioned in an earlier correspondence between Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Savali Talavou Ale dated November 01, 2023, in which the governor amended the Call for the First Special Session of the 38th Legislature.

In that letter, Governor Lemanu wrote, “Regarding the first special session to convene on Monday, November 13, 2023 for a period not to exceed ten (10) calendar days, please note the amended items to be considered as follows:

1.          Appropriating the sum of up to $3,100,000 from unobligated and unexpended revenues from FY 2022 to supplement FY 2024 budget
2.          Administrative Request for an Act for the Appropriation of $36,000,000 in Surplus Revenues Received to Supplement the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget
3.         Lease of approximately 5.3 acres known as Field #3 in Tafuna from ASG to the Football Federation of American Samoa

In exclusive interview with FFAS President Fai’ivae Iuli Godinet earlier this year, he revealed that initial negotiations with government regarding the lease of the piece of land at Tafuna next to the Veterans’ Memorial Stadium ended with the whole piece of land made available for lease to the local soccer association, to build a state-of-the-art soccer stadium complete with an academy, which would house visiting teams.

However, Fai’ivae stated that he was informed by government officials that there had been a change of plans and that the land at Tafuna which FFAS had cleared in anticipation of this multi million dollar project had been divided into two lots.

The lot next to the road will be utilized by ASG while the lot inland, which is about 5.3 acres and labeled by government as Field #3, had been earmarked for the local soccer association’s use.

 “This has been a big blow to our plans,” Fai’ivae stated then. “This was going to be our association’s gift to the future generations of American Samoa not only in the sport of soccer but also to other sports because they would be allowed to use the facilities.

“And if our lease was not renewed some time in the future we would hand everything to the government to use for the benefit of our young people.

“However at the end of the day, the government’s final decision will prevail.”

The FFAS president told Samoa News that despite this drawback, they are grateful for the space they have been given by government and will prioritize the building of an artificial turf soccer pitch to international FIFA standard specifications for international games and local championship games, and another field for local games and training for local clubs.

Close to $5 million dollars has been made available by the sport’s governing body, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to fund the field and facilities.

According to FFAS CEO Tavita Taumua, a date has been set by FIFA for utilizing the funds and they must make progress in the construction of the project or face losing the funds.

Taumua told Samoa News that construction will begin as soon as the Fono gives its approval to the lease extension.