Twenty-six teams have signed up for the men’s cricket league according to the Tournament Manager Kalala Tanuvasa.

The Manager says the goal of the tournament is to develop and attract more teams to be a part of the league while also identifying talent.

"The main purpose of this tournament is to develop the young athletes of our country so their love and commitment to the sport will remain,” she said. 

“As this is one of the sports that offers scholarships to overseas countries, but since now that borders are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no one can travel.”

The Samoa International Cricket Association intends to increase the number of clubs to join its competitions as one of its long-term goals. 

“This tournament we have set up to identify players who are great at every aspect of the sport to represent Samoa to overseas countries because there is a tournament at the end of the year which will be hosted in Japan," Tanuvasa added.

The focus of the association is to have more local players in Samoa’s national teams with the Tournament Manager revealing that the clubs entering this year's league tournament have increased by 10.

She said the increase is a big accomplishment for the association as previously they registered 16 clubs that participated.

"Which means 10 new clubs have come onboard this year and entered our association. 

“We have also opted to have two divisions, the other one for the top 12 last year are in Division A and the other teams who were below will compete in Division B and the new teams this year. 

“There are 12 teams in Division A and 14 in Division B – whoever scores the most points will be named the champions of each division."

The teams that are participating in Division A are Falelauniu A, Bradaz, Phantoms, Fetu i Saute, Apia West, Afaluko, Maaseugogo B, Vailele, Maaseugogo A, Young Eagle, Seahorse, and Alafua Raiders. 

For Division B they have Manunu Junior Boys, Metotisi Fusi Safata A, Punamalu A, Vaipoto, Sand City, Leuso A, Metotisi Fusi Safata B, Laulaau mai Farani, Falelauniu, Metotisi Boys Tufulele, Kukama, Metotisi Lufilufi, Leuso B, and Punamalu B.