Commonwealth gold medalist says peace begins from within families

By Talimalie Uta 25 August 2017, 12:00AM

Peace begins within families. 

If young people are taught well at home to be respectful, they will not stray from those values in public.

That’s the opinion of 18-year-old, Sialaoa Telea.

Speaking to the Village Voice yesterday, the young from Alamagoto said he is concerned about the growing number of violent incidents involving young people.

But he has a solution.

“It all begins at home,” he said. “If young people are well grounded at home, they should be okay out there in the community.”

Sialaoa was at Apia Park for the Champ of Champs yesterday.

He was happy about the absence of violence and the usual inter-school fights that accompany the competition.

“These school athletics not only brings together schools to compete but it also enforces peace and harmony among different schools,” he said.

“This year has been a great change. Unlike the previous years where there were lots of fighting, the competition has been carried out in very good spirits which is great to see.” 

Moreover, Sialaoa believes that sport should be developed hand in hand with education.

“I grew up learning from my teachers that sport is education,” he said. “In fact it is another way of attracting the minds of students to school. Basically, everything is education.”

Sialaoa was a member of the Samoa team that won gold during the recent Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas.

“It was a good experience especially when you get to meet new people and make friends with students from other schools,” he said.

“Sport is another way for our government to get the message out to the students about how to address challenges of life.”

Asked if he has any advice for other students, he said: “Stay focused and keep working hard. 

“Keep your promises, move forward and always prioritise.”

By Talimalie Uta 25 August 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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