On the road to Los Angeles 2015

In the lead up to the biggest event on their sporting calendar Special Olympics Samoa (S.O. Samoa) athletes competed to for their chance to represent our country on the world stage.

Last Friday saw the S.O. Samoa host its monthly games with athletes competing in athletics, bocce, football and international cricket.

C.E.O. of S.O. Samoa, Tusitina Nu’uvali said it was at this particular Games where volunteers nominated athletes for the two sports they thought best suited them.

She said the athletes would compete in these sports at next month’s National Games with the outcome determining which athletes would represent Samoa in their respective disciplines at the Special Olympic World Games to be held in Las Angeles in July next year.

Ms. Nu’uvali, says this selection process is two-fold – not only does the athletes’ ability play a part, but their enjoyment of the sport is also taken into account.

“It’s all about fun, fun, fun,” she said.

According to Ms. Nu’uvali volunteers from the Football Federation Samoa (F.F.S.), the Samoa International Cricket Association (S.I.C.A.) and the Australia-Pacific Technical College (A.P.T.C.) will help to train selected athletes over the coming year.

Ms. Nu’uvali said events such as the National Games and the World Games would not be made possible with out key supporters such as Digicel Samoa.

She said the company was their biggest supporter - always there ready to help.

S.O. Samoa cannot put a dollar figure on what Digicel has given to them she said.

The athletes from Fiamalamalama School, Loto Taumafai Society for People with Disabilities, and Senese Inclusive Education usually come together on the last Thursday of every month to create mixed teams depending on their age and ability, said Ms. Nu’uvali.

However, she said, because of the National Games selection process, this month the teams remained separate, so the S.O.

Samoa volunteers were able to watch and assess each child’s strengths for nominations.

According to Ms. Nu.uvali the National Games won’t just be for athletes based near Apia, but for all athletes across Upolu and Savai’i.

She said the National Games are a great chance for the athletes to “create friendship with other peers all over the islands.”

S.O. Samoa also prides itself on providing job opportunities for local unemployed youth.

They encourage unemployed youth to volunteer with them to gain experience in coaching, so they can then become certified coaches.

“S.O. Samoa coaches are extra special coaches,” Ms Nu’uvali said.

“Mum plus dad plus mentor plus volunteer equals a Special Olympics coach.”

Ms. Nu’uvali says the biggest reward is seeing the athletes happy, the parents enjoying watching, and the volunteers being productive.

“We’re all here because of the athletes,” she said.

“They do it with such determination.

“They are the athletes, they are the stars, they are the priority,” she said.

Australian volunteer Jane Elliot added, “Calling them athletes gives them pride.”