Automobile company, Asco Motors, has donated a $70,000 Toyota Hilux 4WD Double Cab pick up to the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympics Committee (S.A.S.N.O.C.).

The new vehicle was handed over to S.A.S.N.O.C. President, Fepulea'i Patrick Fepulea'i on Friday by the Asco Motors Sales and Marketing Manager, Lipa Vaoga, during a brief presentation ceremony.

It is understood the presentation of the vehicle was delayed due to the declaration of the state of emergency (S.O.E.) in late March.

S.A.S.N.O.C. Chief Executive Officer, Tuala Mathew Vaea, told Samoa Observer that the vehicle was donated in the spirit of building sporting skills in Samoa and will be used to assist in their work with the various sporting organisations in the country.

“It’s ideal for transporting equipment for any sporting events and especially during weather,” he said.

The vehicle was donated as part of Asco Motors' sponsorship assistance to S.A.S.N.O.C. during and after the 2020 Olympic Games.

The donation marks the first time SASNOC is a beneficiary of sponsorship assistance by a major sponsor of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The occasion was not lost on the President, he said: “Today marks a unique and special occasion for S.A.S.N.O.C, to acknowledge this collaboration. Today is also an opportunity to recognise the challenges that COVID-19 has brought to Samoa.”

“One has been that of delaying this special occasion for some time now. This was agreed in order for both parties to observe the health precautions and restrictions imposed by the Government for our safety.”

Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the IOC in consultation with the host nation Japan agreed to defer the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to July 23, 2021.