Contest to honour P.M.’s support

By Deidre Fanene 03 August 2016, 12:00AM

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is in for a surprise when the 15th International Siva Afi Competition kicks off next month.

Co-owner of the Siva Afi Printing Company, Leota Lene Leota, said this year’s competition will honour the support of the Prime Minister over the years.

“That will be one of the most important parts of the event this year when we honour Tuilaepa’s support of the International Siva Afi Competition throughout the years,” he said.

“He has been our Patron even since the competition started and so we thought what better way to honour his support than to celebrate together on this 15th international competition.”

Leota does not want to give away too much about their plans.

“It will be a surprise. We just wanted to do something to show our appreciation for all that he has done for us.”

Speaking about the competition this year Leota said the event will be held for three days.

“On the first day of the competition, the seniors will be competing. The second day is for the juniors and the routines, the routines is double and then the last day it will be the finals.

 “At the moment so far we have two competitors from overseas one from New Zealand and one from Florida confirmed but we have another one from Hawaii that we need to confirm. Then we have our locals. 

“We will have four judges and one of the judges is from Hawaii and three are from here.”

Leota added that there will be a grand prize for the competitors on the final night of the event.

“Five competitors will go into the final from the Seniors Division and three from the Juniors Division,” he said.

“For the seniors the winner will get $3,000tala and a trophy, first runner up will receive $2,000 and the 3rd runner up will get $1,000 and the 4th and 5th places will receive $500 tala each.

“The winner of the junior division will get $500, second place will get $300 and the third place will get $100.

“Registration is open right now since we have about five weeks left till the competition and so we are asking anyone who wants to compete to come and register.” 

In conclusion, Leota acknowledged the support from the community.

“We want to thank our sponsors especially the private sector without their support we wouldn’t be able to host this competition,” he said.

“This is all about helping our kids because when we first started the programme it started with the street vendors but now 15 years on and we have children from all over who want to join in and learn about the culture.

“The tickets for the show are $35 tala just to watch the show but $85tala is the cost of the ticket for the final night and that will include dinner and the show.

“For the $85tala ticket you can use that ticket to watch the show from the first night till the final night but dinner will only be served on the final night.”

If you want to help out with the event please contact Leota Lene Leota on 7526128 or email [email protected].

By Deidre Fanene 03 August 2016, 12:00AM

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