Manu Samoa may tour China

25 August 2017, 12:00AM

Press Secretary - The People’s Republic of China may host national rugby sides including the Manu Samoa in the future.

This is one of the ultimate targets of the partnership sealed with a $30,000 cash donation presented by China’s Ambassador to Samoa, Wang Xuefeng to the S.R.U Chairman and Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.

In accepting the donation, the Prime Minister said that this is not the first time that the People’s Republic has come to the aid of the S.R.U.

He recalled that in 2015, China also gifted the union with training equipment worth $25,000 for the S.R.U High Performance Programme.

“We are very grateful for the support from China,” said Tuilaepa. “And with this partnership, the long term goal is for rugby teams from Samoa and even the Manu Samoa to tour China in the future.

“This kind of partnership is greatly appreciated.”

Pledging continued support, Ambassador Xuefeng reassured the Prime Minister that China will continue to support the union.

He said that he and his family are also Manu Samoa fans and have been rooting for Samoa rugby during every international test.

“The assistance reaffirms the cooperation between our two countries and it will continue for years to come,” said the Ambassador.

The financial assistance will help the union fund the SRU Super 9 Rugby Championships.

The Championships is a new approach by the union to groom players for Manu Samoa selection.

The ultimate goal is for locally based players to dominate the selection of future Manu Samoa teams for international fixtures including the Rugby World Cup.

25 August 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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