“Excellence is to excel in those fields where you can really make a difference, so that when you move on, you shall have left behind a better world for those who follow.”

The words above from Eva Lantsought inspired Salā Stella Siale –Vaea Tangitau, General Manager of Samoa International Cricket to aim high.

And she has.

She has recently graduated with an Executive Master in Sports Management (M.E.M.O.S) from the Catholique University of de Louvain in Belgium.

Salā is both humbled and grateful.

“I am excited and empowered to continue to make a positive contribution in enhancing the social, economic, technical, political and cultural skills of our people who are directly and indirectly involved in sports especially the youth,” she said. 

“Youth unemployment, social and cultural issues are some challenges that sports can have a positive impact to help reduce and hopefully resolved.”

Sala is an alumni of the Women Sports Leadership Academy of Chichester University in England, Board of Trustee of Leadership Samoa Development Programme, recently elected Board Member of Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (S.A.S.N.O.C) and a Master Educator of the Oceania Sports Education Programme.

She was awarded the one year scholarship sponsored by Olympic Solidarity and International Olympic Committee with assistance from S.A.S.N.O.C. 

Salā said that she felt privileged to be accepted in the Masters programme and represented Samoa among 37 sports leaders from all over the globe covering the five continents of the world. 

Oceania had five students from Samoa, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Australia and Guam.

“I strongly encourage our sports people to apply for these educational opportunities as they can add value to their personal and professional growth, and help shape and make a difference to the development of Samoa.”

Salā wanted to thank the President of S.A.S.N.O.C, Fepulea’i Patrick Fepulea’i, President of Samoa International Cricket, Su’a Tiumalu Geoffrey Clarke, for their invaluable support.

She also thanked her family especially her mother Aigafa’alagilagi Lealaitafea Magele Siale Lealaitafea, her husband and children for the prayers and encouragement.

The Masters programme available in English, French and Spanish is a collaborative work among 12 universities in Europe.