The Marist St. Joseph’s Sports Club has received a $10,000 donation courtesy of Samoa Stationery and Books to fund various sporting events this year including the Marist Sevens.

S.S.A.B. Chief Executive Officer, Tofilau Fiti Leung Wai, presented club officials with a $10,000 check on Monday at her office at the S.S.A.B. Megastore in Togafu’afu’a.

She said due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic youth in Samoa need sports and she is thankful to God that sporting events can continue.

“I have to applaud the Marist Club for continuing with these games because of the COVID-19, the youth really need some events and also for events to carry on as if it’s normal,” Tofilau said.

“Their contribution also helps a lot of kids in a lot of ways because we don’t want the kids to lose that talent or interest.

“That is what we do here too, regardless of the situation, we just operate as if nothing is happening. 

“How else can you live life but by fighting? The virus has not reached us but they are already saying we can’t do things….we really need these tournaments.”

The S.S.A.B. is a bronze sponsor of the Marist St. Joseph’s Sports Club’s annual Marist Sevens.

Tofilau added that there is a lot of interest for games to continue and she has received reports that the 2020 tournament was great.

“We see that the end result of all this is really for the benefit of all the kids and the people of our country especially in these trying times, you really need to encourage children,” she added.

The Marist St. Joseph’s Sports Club Vice President, Taupau Alex Mikaele, said the funding would go towards funding five tournaments beginning with the annual Marist Sevens which kicks off at the end of February.

He then thanked Tofilau and S.S.A.B. for the assistance on behalf of the club and its President, Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio and added that the funding is crucial at this time with the economic downturn due to the impact of COVID-19.

The SSAB donated funds will also be used to assist competitions in rugby sevens, rugby league, boxing, touch rugby and netball which are all hosted by the Marist St. Joseph’s Sports Club.

“Competition will kick off with the annual Marist Sevens at the end of February, following that we have rugby league and then boxing, touch rugby and netball. We are happy to have our netball back on board,” said Taupau.

However, due to the border closure due to pandemic, no foreign teams will compete in the Marist Sevens like in the previous years.

“I think that is the key for us this year, it was to be able to continue because there was a lot of uncertainty whether the event would go through, but the executive and committee thought that we owe it to the people of Samoa as well especially that looming fear of the pandemic even though it is not here,” Taupau said. “But that is why we have pushed through, that’s our theme for this year is resilience in adversity. 

“Events like this help them (the youth) to take their minds off elections, the virus and give ourselves something else to talk about, this year started all about elections.”

Among the officials who witnessed the presentation were SSAB Marketing Manager Asomua Asia Stanley and Marist St. Joseph’s Sports Club Treasurer.