Tensions flared between the Ministry of Sports and Recreation and the Samoa Outrigger Canoeing Association (SOCA) when the government team visited the Mulinuʻu peninsula on Wednesday to mark canoes used during the 2023 International Vaʻa Federation (IVF) World Distance Championships in Apia.

What unfolded was described as a brief “misunderstanding” over the ownership of the canoes.

Associate Minister for Sports, Fiu Ponifasio Vasa, told the Samoa Observer the canoes are “government assets.”

“I’m not in a position to comment — there was a misunderstanding between SOCA and the ministry with regards to government assets,” he said. “We were here to mark and register the assets. As you can see, the assets — by the looks of it — it’s like private personal assets, but in fact they are government assets.”

Fiu said the issue has since been resolved, adding that the canoes would be marked again in the future as part of a wider registration process for government property.

When asked about the police presence, he said it was precautionary. “As we all know, when things like this happen, the police are there for their mandated role to ensure everything runs smoothly — just in case something happens. But nothing major happened,” he said.

SOCA President Leata Mailo McCarthy declined to comment. Vice President Colin McCarthy told the Samoa Observer he was visiting the Deputy Prime Minister, Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo, to discuss the matter.

The IVF competition was held in Samoa in August 2023, marking the first event of its kind in the country. All canoes used during the competition are managed by SOCA. 

In 2024, SOCA posted an Expression of Interest (EOI) inviting local and overseas buyers to purchase the IVF World Distance Championship 2023 six-person (V6) and one-person (V1) outrigger canoes. The V6 canoes are Are Matahina, and the V1 are Fausaga Vaa, both of which were purchased and used specifically for the hosting of the event in 2023.

Vice President Colin McCarthy was contacted again for comment, but was unable to due so as of press time.