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Local sports development must include effort from all

“Enough talk, it’s time to put all the talk into action,” was the strong message from the American Samoa Sports Minister for the XV Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea, Jonathan Fanene, when Samoa News asked him about his next step to develop sports in American Samoa for international participation.

 

Fanene said preparation for the the XVI Pacific Games in 2019, as well as the Olympics in 2016 and the Mini-Games in Vanuatu are happening now — not two months before the competition.

 

In an exclusive interview with Samoa News this week, Fanene, who is also the Director for the Department of Youth and Women Affairs said that after witnessing a lot of the problems that Team Amerika Samoa faced in Papua, he thought that it’s time for him to do everything possible  to make sure those problems will not happen in the future.

 

“…even though it was my first experience for the Pacific Games — to witness it and be with the Team — I believe that leaders, sports associations and everyone who want to help develop sports in American Samoa should stand together, develop them, and encourage our youth to be part of these activities,” said Fanene, who represented American Samoa at the Fourth Pacific Sports Ministers Meeting, hosted by PNG during the XV Pacific Games.

 

AFTER THE XV PACIFIC GAMES

 

After returning from PNG, Fanene and his office have made a special effort to visit each sports association on island, to check on their preparation, and to see what assistance they need from the government.

 

Fanene said that even though the American Samoa National Olympic Committee (ASNOC) is responsible for encouraging local sports associations to develop their respective sport, and push them to compete in tournaments and test how good our athletes are, he believes that government leaders also have the same responsibility — to make sure each sports association develops well and successfully, and all athletes are in good form anytime they represent American Samoa.

 

“The truth is, American Samoa owns the flag that these athletes are representing at the Pacific Games, not the ASNOC, so the burden is on the government and its leaders, and that’s why I made a quick move after returning from PNG, to start developing every sport for our youth, because I believe that’s the only way we can do good at each Pacific Games—to start our preparations now, over the four years — not two months before the Games start,” said Fanene.

 

“One of the most important things (to me) is for leaders and sports associations to work together to develop our youth. I know there’s a lot of youth, who have the talent out there, but we lack working together with them and developing their talents.”

 

Fanene continued, “There’s a lot of challenges I faced while in PNG. I heard a lot about too many words these years— but no action. I’ve seen the needs from our athletes. I’ve been in their shoes and I know exactly what they want from us, the leaders, so after consulting with some of our sports officials and coaching staff, I know that it’s time for me and the government to step up and do something.

 

“Put a stop on talking and wasting the air, it’s time to do more action and look at ways to develop our youth for every sport!” he stated.

 

AGREEMENT WITH SAMOA

 

In response to his own question: “How can we develop sports if we don’t have more competitions to test how good our athletes are?” Fanene has confirmed that his Office has signed an agreement with the Samoa Youth and Sports Office, for a special competition in eight sports on January 2016, to test how good our athletes are, and to prepare them for future international competitions such as the Pacific Games and the Olympics..

 

“After I returned from PNG, we then signed an agreement with Samoa for a friendly competition, to test how good our athletes are, and to make sure our athletes are well prepared for the next Pacific Games in 2019, and also for the Mini Games in Vanuatu in 2017,” he said.

 

Fanene pointed out that “this is one of the problems I’ve noticed since Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga appointed me as the Sports Minister.  There is a lack __in our preparation, and we don’t have competition for some sports to test how good our athletes are, so signing this agreement with Samoa will give some sports associations that...test ... to give our athletes the green light to make sure our sons and daughter are well prepared to represent American Samoa at the Pacific Games level.”

 

Fanene said that a friendly sports meeting will start up with all nine sports American Samoa used to compete in, at the Pacific Games, and by the end of next year, there will be more sports to add to this competition.

 

“This friendly sports meeting next year between the two Samoas was part of the Samoa Talks… and this is one of the positive outcomes of these meetings. So, we’re looking forward to develop more and more sports for our youth, so that we can compete in all sports at the next Pacific Games,” Fanene concluded.

 

A local sports official and coach told Samoa News that in order for American Samoa to have good teams to compete at the Pacific Games, like the women’s volleyball team and beach volleyball team who won gold medals, they need to have certified and well trained coaches, who can train our athletes in the standard of play expected at the Pacific Games level.

 

And, how can the government fulfill its dream to develop every sport, if there are not enough facilities on island for training for our youth? asked other sports officials and coaches. “We now have facilities for some sports such as Weightlifting, Judo, Wrestling, Rugby, Tennis, Bodybuilding, Boxing, Softball — but no swimming pool, no volleyball or basketball courts.”

 

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

 

Fanene told Samoa News that Governor Lolo has agreed to allow use of the DYWA gym in Pago Pago as another training facility for other sports which are willing to develop and be part of the XVI Pacific Games in Tonga.

 

“All we need are certified coaches who can assist our youth in developing these sports. So, who ver has the talent to coach our teams and train our youth, we’re asking for your support… Let us work together to develop our youth for every sport,” the DYWA director said.

 

In his comments, Fanene thanked Governor Lolo and the Administration for the $50,000 donation to Team Amerika Samoa for the XV Pacific Games. He also thanked the parents of all the athletes who represented American Samoa at the Pacific Games, for trusting them to take care of their children.

 

“I would also like to thank all the coaches and players who came a long way from the States to represent Amerika Samoa at the Pacific Games. Thank you for your great effort, which makes us proud, and for everyone who put up an effort to assist our team in many ways. May God bless you all,” Fanene said.