Samoa Paints Limited has pledged $50,000 worth of sponsorship to Samoa Weightlifting to help its preparations for the upcoming Olympics.  

A small ceremony was held at Gym 3 at Tuinaimato to mark the occasion.

According to the Director of Samoa Paints Limited, Va’atuitui Apete Meredith, he said that the $50,000 will be divided across two years.

“We will distribute funding assistance monthly to assist Samoa’s weightlifting team for two years,” he said.

Va’atuitui said that their company deals in selling paint products from Taubmans brand.

Samoa Paints trades as Taubmans Samoa and was pleased to officially announce the sponsorship programme. 

“Taubmans Samoa is very pleased to be partnering with Samoa’s most successful team in prestigious international tournaments,” he said.

He also stated that they are proud of Samoa Weightlifting’s achievements in the Pacific, Oceania, Commonwealth and its ever famous win in the Olympic Games:

“We at Taubmans Samoa believe that this sponsorship will allow even greater achievements which will speak for itself in the region as well as the global space.

“We wish the team all the very best in all upcoming and future events as we look forward to proving that we are experts for all that we endure quoting our slogan ‘Your imagination, our expertise.’

Va’atuitui said he is familiar with the development of the weightlifting sport in Samoa over the years.

“Before, there was no official facility that would be used for training by the weightlifters but it is great to see that now there is a place,” he said. 

The President of Samoa Weightlifting and coach, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, acknowledged the support from the donors.

“Thank you for offering much-needed assistance for our team, despite our country [labouring] under the impacts of COVID-19. 

“We pray that God will bless your company for your generous support.”

Recently, the Samoa Weightlifting team continued to obliterate their competition in the virtual Oceania Weightlifting Federation league, by winning against New Zealand.

Samoa conquered New Zealand by a whopping 626 kilograms, with Don Opeloge leading the charge.

Weighing in at 96 kilograms, Opeloge snatched a personal best of 177 kilograms and performed a clean and jerk of 215 kilograms for a total of 392 kilograms.