Dear Editor,

During a media interview this week, I was asked about concerns raised by a Tongan Rugby Official regarding delays in Australia’s financial assistance for rugby across the three Pacific nations.

According to the official, the delay stems from the fact that Samoa’s Prime Minister has not yet signed the project document, while the Prime Ministers of Fiji and Tonga have already done so.

In Samoa, our Prime Minister has directed that he will not sign the project documents until the current Lakapi Samoa Board is removed and replaced by Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) supporters of his choice.

This raises serious concerns about political interference in sport.

Fiji serves as a reminder, as they were previously suspended from the World Rugby Council due to government interference in rugby affairs.

Fiji was only recently reinstated after providing assurances that its government would refrain from interfering in rugby affairs.

Like Rugby Australia, Lakapi Samoa is in good standing with World Rugby and has been since joining the world body in 1988.

Australia is therefore advised to proceed with releasing funds to Fiji and Tonga, whose approvals are complete.

Australia is also well aware of the political tensions currently unfolding in Samoa and should consider direct support to Lakapi Samoa as other sponsors have done.

If Australia is seeking to ensure the accountable use of its taxpayers’ money, then it should demand audit reports of how its budgetary support to the FAST governments has subsidised the corrupt village development projects.

This also sets a dangerous precedent for those non-government entities that donors are funding directly.

Will they also need to reconstitute their governing bodies with FAST supporters?

The FAST administration has already divided families and communities in Samoa.

It is troubling to see this political discord now extending into our sporting institutions.

Everyone knows that the Prime Minister has other national priorities to address.

The electricity outages, shortage of medicines, illegal gangs, drugs and guns, the dismissal and appointment of civil servants, and suppression of media freedom should be at the top of his concerns.

Politics must never be allowed to undermine our sports.

Safeguarding the independence and integrity of rugby and all other sports must be protected and left to those entrusted with its leadership.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP