“Start Right, Work Hard, Finish Strong.”
That’s the mantra the Samoa Athletes team are taking with them to the Commonwealth Youth Games, which begins this weekend with the opening ceremony on Saturday.
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More than fifty athletes from Samoa will use the privilege of being the host country to test their skills and prowess against the best from 70 other countries.
Speaking to the Observer Sports, the Commonwealth Youth Games Competition Manager Tuala Tommy Stancil said that the event is a good chance for the young people to expose themselves to the world.
“There will be 70 countries coming in, so it’s a great opportunity for them to learn and experience from other athletes from the commonwealth nations,” said Tuala.
Tuala admit that the team has had to overcome many challenges.
“It’s getting the children organized in all sorts of things,” he said.
“But we have overcome a lot of those challenges and we are getting to the last straw and it looks good.”
“It’s been good and we are very appreciative of the Chinese government for providing us with two Chinese Coaches to help us out mainly for the field events.”
“We are very grateful for that because they have been helping us for the past three months and after the games they will head back home.
It’s been very good and it’s a learning process for us, especially the Samoan Coaches.”
The team, Tuala said, has been training since January this year.
“We first started at the Pesega College compound, and then late February we shifted to St Joseph’s Alafua and now at Apia Park because they have to test the track and train on the new track.”
So what can Samoa expect from the Athletics athletes?
“I am looking at mainly the field events. On the track there will be some entertainment in that area and I am looking forward for that.”
“I just hope that the children are mentally prepared for the event and the main thing is to enjoy and have a good time.”
Team Samoa was selected from athletes from Vaiola College, Leulumoega Fou College, Pesega College, Faleata College, St Joseph’s, Avele, Vaimauga, Leififi, Nuuausala, Anoamaa and Aana College.
“We are looking forward to see the children compete and I hope they will enjoy themselves which is the main thing for this event.”
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