Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa Junior Tennis team that recently returned from the 2024 East Pacific Regional Qualifying Championship in Tahiti on April 8-13, were officially recognized at last Saturday’s Inaugural Flag Day Games Closing Ceremony at the Maliu Mai Resort.

The event which was initiated by the American Samoa National Olympic Committee (ASNOC), aimed at getting together all the local sports associations that hosted tournaments during the Flag Day festivities together, to be formally recognized and commended.

“Moreover, to give the athletes the formal recognition they deserve and encourage them to continue to strive to be the best they can be,” said ASNOC Secretary-General Vaiala Ethan Lake. “That’s why we included our national junior tennis players who put on spectacular performances in the recent East Pacific Regional Qualifying Championship in Tahiti, where they won 2 gold medals, 1 silver, 1 bronze and placed third overall, out of six countries that competed.”

Host nation Tahiti were victorious at 1st place, Samoa came second and American Samoa took third place. The other teams that competed were from Cook Islands, Norfolk Island and Tonga.

“That was just awesome!” Vaiala exclaimed. “And on the international stage too!

“We need to acknowledge their accomplishment in front of their peers from other sports associations and especially their families, so they will be encouraged and inspired to keep on improving their game.

“I see a bright future for these young athletes.”

The American Samoa Junior Tennis Team that went to the East Pacific Regional Qualifying Championship in Tahiti comprised 13 players divided into three categories, U12, U14 and U16.

U12 Boys — Herman Thomsen, Tydeus Asalele, Jedi Leasau.

U12 Girls — Joella Ioane, Aitulagi Godinet, Pale Leasau.

U14 Boys — Aifili Tamasoalii, Toa Godinet, Roland West.

U14 Girls — Joelei Ioane, Alexandria Amor.

U16 Girls — Florita and Tala Tupa’i.

In the U12 Boys Doubles competition, Herman Thomsen and Tydeus Asalele settled for 2nd place after losing to Tahiti in the finals. They also placed 2nd overall.

U12 Boys Team (l-r) Herman Thomsen, Tydeus Asalele, Jedi Leasau won the silver medal at the 2024 East Pacific Regional Qualifying Championship in Tahiti recognized at Maliu Mai Resort last Saturday night. [photo: Asi A. Fa’asau]

In the U12 Girls category, American Samoa was placed third overall.

U12 Girls Aitulagi Godinet, Pale Leasau, (absent: Joella Ioane) who won the bronze medal in the overall points table of the 2024 East Pacific Regional Qualifying Championship in Tahiti on April 8-13, are officially recognized at the ASNOC Flag Day Games Closing Ceremony at Maliu Mai. [photo: Asi A. Fa’asau]

Joelei Ioane placed first in the U14 Girls Singles competition after beating Maryallyson Va’ai of Samoa 4-6, 6-2, 10-6 in the finals.

Aifili Tamasoalii placed 2nd in the U14 Boys Singles competition, after losing 4-6, 3-6 in the finals to his opponent from Tahiti who trains in France.

In the U14 Girls Doubles category finals, Joelei Ioane and Alexandria Amoa defeated Tahiti to secure first place.

The U12 category who finished their games first competed in another competition called the Dragon Club Tournament where they competed with local tennis clubs in Tahiti and they emerged victorious.

President of the American Samoa Tennis Association (ASTA) Florence Wasko who accompanied the team, thanked the ASNOC for the recognition and acknowledged their major sponsors which include Bluesky, IBC, SoPac, Toyota, GHC Reid and Southseas Broadcasting.

She also acknowledged the assistance of ASTA Vice President Terri Steffany and the hard work by national coach Dave Godinet who prepared the young players for the tournament in Tahiti.

“I would also like to thank our friends, families and the public who supported our fundraising efforts,” Wasko acknowledged. “Your support enabled us to compete in this prestigious tournament and our young up-and-coming player gained invaluable international exposure that will no doubt help them to develop their skills to their full potential.”

The ASTA president also explained the absence of a tennis team in last year’s 17th Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

She stated that a huge gap exists between the young developing players and the golden oldies or veterans who represented the Territory in past years and are now in their 50s, so it was not feasible to send a team.

The problem, she explained is that many of the young players who are in their prime relocate to the Hawaii or the mainland after high school, for further education, better paying job opportunities or the military.

However, they hope to solve this problem by involving more young players and keep track of those young players who have relocated, so their association’s management can contact them if they are needed to represent the Territory in future international competitions.

The ASTA Junior Team is now preparing for their next international fixture, which is the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships slated for July 4-11 in Fiji.