SSAB steps up for Marist Sevens

14 February 2019, 12:00AM

SSAB is again one of the major sponsors of the Vailima Marist International Rugby Sevens Tournament 2019.

SSAB through its President/CEO Tofilau Fiti Leung Wai presented a donation worth $25,000 to Faiamalomatumua Mathew Lemisio, President of Marist St Joseph’s Sports Club that is organizing and hosting the Vailima Marist Sevens.

SSAB has been one of the major sponsors of the Vailima Marist Sevens for several years now. Aside from the Vailima Marist Sevens, SSAB also donates to other sporting activities of Marist St Joseph’s Club throughout the year.

According to Tofilau, “SSAB continues to sponsor Marist St Joseph’s Club because of their focus on youth development and the exposure they provide for our sports people. Marist is able to provide the platform to enable our talented youth to get recognized to represent Samoa at the international level, with some getting contracts to play overseas and send money back to support their families. Marist is also able to account for every sene that we donate. Also, I am supportive of Marist as my husband is a staunch Marist.”

Faimalomatumua is very appreciative of SSAB’s assistance over the years. He said that, “Had it not been for the support of SSAB and other major sponsors, we would not be able to host the Vailima Marist Sevens.

This is the 31st year of this tournament and we have stepped it up a notch with the inclusion of women’s rugby these past years. So now it’s more than just ruby and the sport itself. We are developing our young people through sports and at the same time contributing to our country’s overall social development.”

Tournament Director, Fata Brian Kaio added that, “We have 3 women’s teams from overseas competing this year. Some of those teams comprise of players from NZ’s Black Ferns. The interest shown by overseas teams by taking part is encouraging and there is talk of more overseas teams participating next year.

We also have about 5 teams from Savaii taking part. We believe the Vailima Marist Sevens has so much potential that we need to tap into and nurture for the development of sports.”

The Vailima Marist Sevens kicks off at Lotopa today.

14 February 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>