Saunoaga autu a le tamaitai Palemia, le afioga Fiame Naomi Mataafa e aloaia ai le avea o Samoa ma nofoaga o le a faatuina ai le Aoga a lenei itulagi, (Oceania) mo le faágatama o le siisiiga uamea mamafa. Aso 15 Fepuari 2025.

SAMOA, February 15 - Lau Susuga i le Ta’ita’i o le Sauniga (Pastor Neru Nu’uiaali’i, Failautusi Ekalesia Aso Fitu, Tokelau ma Samoa);

Afio lau Afioga i le Ao Mamalu o le Malō o Samoa; (Masiofo)

Afifio afioga i Sui o le Fono a Sui Tofia;

Afio le Sui Palemia ma Minisita o le Kapeneta,

Sui mamalu o le Palemene o Samoa;

Afifio Sui Mamalu o le Fono Aoao Faitulafono;

Fa’auluuluga o Matāgaluega ma Fa’alapotopotoga Tumā’oti a le Mālō

Le paia maualuga o Samoa ua potopoto i ona tulaga faalupe;

Aemaise o a tatou malō fa’aloalogia o lo’o e’e mai i lenei taeao na liugalua;

O le a fatimagalo ia le āva nai Utumalamalemele, i le pa’ia o Samoa ua potopoto. I le afifio o Tama ma Āiga, Āiga ma Tama, le usoga a Pule ma Tumua, Ituau ma Ālataua, ‘Āiga i le Tai ma le Va’a o Fonotī. Ae’ā oe le Faleagafulu, iā Sua ma le Vaifanua, Fofō ma Āitulagi, Ituau ma Ālataua, Sa’ole ma Saleaumua ma le Launiu na saelua, Fa’atui o le Motu, To’oto’o o le Faleula ma Tama a le Manu’atele.

Ou te talitonu, o pa’ia maualuga ma mamalu o le taeao ma le aso, o lea ua mae’a ona fa’afuluina e le Fofoga o le Aso, ma ua malu maunu ai le fogātia ma paū ai Faleata nei. Tulou.

Faafetai i lau Susuga i le Fa’afeagaiga Taulagi, mo le taulaga momoli ma le ‘upu fofolaina mai lana Afioga Pa’ia, ua tōmatauina ai le fa’amoemoe o lenei taeao na liugalua.

KEYNOTE SPEECH BY THE HON. PRIME MINISTER FIAME NAOMI MATAAFA AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE OCEANIA WEIGHTLIFTING INSTITUTE & ACADEMY -15TH FEBRUARY 2025

Talofa lava!

Pastor Neru Nu’uiaali’i,

Afioga ile Ao Mamalu ole Malo ma Lau Masiofo

Members of the Council of Deputies and your Good Ladies,

Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers,

Members of Parliament,

Dr. Mohammed Jalood, President of the International Weightlifting Federation,

Dr. Antonio Urso, General Secretary of the International Weightlifting Federation,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I extend warm greetings to you on behalf of the Government of Samoa and its people. Pastor Neru, I express our heartfelt gratitude for your uplifting message and prayers. Your words have set a tone of unity and positivity for this special occasion. Thank you, and may you continue to be blessed in your ministry to the world.

We are gathered here in Samoa on this momentous occasion—the official launch of the Oceania Weightlifting Institute and Academy (OWIA). As Prime Minister, I am honoured and delighted to welcome you all as our esteemed guests.

I acknowledge the presence of Dr. Mohammed Jalood, the President of the International Weightlifting Federation, and Dr. Antonio Urso, the General Secretary of the International Weightlifting Federation. Likewise for the International Olympic Committee member, Dr. Robin Mitchell, and ONOC Secretary General, Riccardo Blas. Welcome also to the Commonwealth Games Federation President, Leulua’i’ava Dr. Chris Jenkins.

I recognize the high level leadership of weightlifting present here today from across many continents, who have committed to being part of this special occasion. From the global leadership of International Weightlifting we welcome our distinguished guests:

1. Mr. Eshaq Ebrahim Eshaq – President, Bahrain Weightlifting Federation;

2. Mr. Jose Quinones – President Pan American Weightlifting Federation, Peru:

3. Mr. Khaled Mehalhel – President Africa Weightlifting Federation, Libya:

4. Mr. Alharbi Mohammed Ahmed, General Secretary – Asian Weightlifting Federation, Saudi Arabia:

5. Paul Coffa, General Secretary, Oceania Weightlifting Federation.

A special welcome to Honourable Marcus Stephens, Nauru Member of Parliament and President of the Oceania Weightlifting Federation, and our distinguished guests from the regional leadership of weightlifting.

I would also like to acknowledge the strategic investments from our external partners that have made this vision a reality, including the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC).

The sport of weightlifting has played a significant role in elevating Samoa’s presence in the international sporting arena. Our weightlifting athletes have demonstrated outstanding performances on global stages, which you no doubt are very much aware of, showcasing their dedication and talent. This recognition has not only brought pride to our nation but has also opened doors for further opportunities in sports and youth development.

I commend the Samoa Weightlifting Federation and its President, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, for their relentless drive and commitment to the development of our young athletes. Their vision, fueled by self-determination, hard work, and notable global performance milestones, has led to today’s achievement—the establishment of the Oceania Weightlifting Institute and Academy (OWIA). I acknowledge your local strategic partners visibly present here today, who have invested financial resources and provided critical support to the journey of the Samoa Weightlifting Federation, to where it is today.

The Government of Samoa has been committed to supporting the growth of weightlifting at the national level. We have provided critical financial resources and facility development support to the Samoa Weightlifting Federation, which has been instrumental in creating a nurturing environment for our athletes. This investment in sports development is aligned with our national strategic goals, focusing on people centred development

The Academy will undoubtedly provide new opportunities for national, regional, and international development in the sport of weightlifting. Today, we celebrate the opening of world-class facilities and an academy dedicated to fostering the future generations of weightlifting talent in Oceania and beyond.

In conclusion, as we reflect on this remarkable milestone, the Oceania Weightlifting Institute and Academy is now alive and ready to host regional and international competitions here in Samoa. The Government of Samoa is proud to continue its investment in weightlifting, and we look forward to the positive impact this will have on our youth and the overall development of Samoa.

Congratulations to all involved! Best wishes to all our youth who will walk the hallways of this Academy. To our international guests please enjoy the warm hospitality of Samoa, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Soifua.

Photo by the Government of Samoa (Peseta Tusiga Taofiga)

February 26, 2025