The Samoa Shipping Corporation (SSC) has signed a sponsorship deal valued at $500,000 with the Pacific Games Office making them a gold sponsor.

The signing of an agreement yesterday was done by the deputy chair of the SSC board of directors, Palea Vaalele Faaolotoi and chairman of the Pacific Games Office, Loau Keneti Sio who is also the Minister of Education, Sports and Culture.

Palea acknowledged the work being done by the Pacific Games Office in preparations for the Pacific Games in July this year and said they are glad to lend a hand.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors as well as the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, we are happy to be supporting and helping out with the preparations for the future games.

“We are happy to help all the way through Pacific Games boxing which will be held on the big island of Savai’i, with this $500,000 to aid with preparations in that area,” he said. 

Palea also made reference to the Government’s policy of “What is good for Upolu, is also good for Savaii”, and said it complimented the fact that some of Samoa’s well known boxers are from the big island. 

“Even more suiting as Savaii is where some of our well known boxers originate from, and this is the best chance for us to witness this big event which will be held in our Big Island,” he added. 

Loau, in response, thanked the corporation for their generosity.

“We thank you so much, on behalf of the Pacific Games office, especially to the board of directors of Samoa Shipping Corporation as well as the chief executive officer and everyone for this kindness you have given this morning, $500,000 is not a small amount of money.

“This sponsorship will be made available for our Pacific Games preparations and that’s why this minister is happy today, because of the lending of your shoulder to help out with the load for the games,” he said.

The PGO Chairman also agreed that there was an abundance of boxing talent from Savaii, which is why the Games boxing competition will be held there in July.

“So many boxing talents emerged from Savaii as well as many other athletes, which is the reason why we decided to take boxing to the big island, to revive and celebrate their talent,” he continued.

He assured SSC that the Pacific Games office will be putting the $500,000 to good use in terms of the games.

“We thank you for your support through this big amount and we hope you will continue to support and trust in us as we continue to prepare and hope that everything ends well for us as well as our athletes who will be competing, so that we can get as many gold medals for the sake of our country,” said the Minister.