Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, has congratulated the Marist Sports Club for success of its inaugural Marist International Sports Week.

Kicking off with a boxing tournament last weekend, the grand finale of the festivities is the final of the 29th Vailima Marist International Sevens tournament at Apia Park this afternoon.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa will be among the keen spectators at the park.

Speaking to the Weekend Observer, however, Tuilaepa hailed the success of the Marist Sevens tournament over the years, saying it has contributed a lot to the development of rugby in Samoa.

 “Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the great spirit of the Marist Club in putting together this tournament,” he said.

 “As you know, behind any good development are good people."

“There are big fish (laui’a) involved in organizing those tournaments." 

“We have Aumua Ming Leung Wai there, Tupa’i Klaus Stunzner, Masuisui Jnr. Pereira, Fa’afouina Su’a and all those big fish.”

He went on to say that the other positive outcome of the Marist 7’s is bringing in high profile players to Samoa.

“That is a good thing because we get to see a variety of talents and potentials. And for these players, most of them have contracts overseas.”

As an old pupil of Marist, Tuilaepa said he did not spend a lot of time in the Marist Club. 

“But as you know, the main reason why I became involved with the Union was because I was the President of the Apia West Rugby Club.

“Remember, you can’t just involve yourself with things like these if you don’t know the game.

“And that’s how I ended up being involved with the Rugby Union.

“A lot of people think that I got in because I am the Prime Minister, but that’s not the case. I played rugby way before I was involved with politics.”