A man who has worked over the years to develop and promote English cricket in Samoa is Pakistan’s first Honorary Consul in Samoa.

Businessman Tiumalu Geoffrey Clarke’s appointment was announced by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Samoa and New Zealand, Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi, at Hotel Millennia yesterday.

The appointment was made official in the presence of friends, colleagues and relatives of Tiumalu.

Speaking about areas of mutual interest between the two countries, Mr. Hashmi identified sports as one of them.

 “There is a need for closer cricketing and sports ties,” he said.

“You love sports and Pakistanis love sports. In this context I am here to focus on Geoffrey Clarke, a distinguished citizen with a prominent and a highly respected personality.

“The Pakistani government has decided to appoint him as the Honorary Consul General of Pakistan here in Samoa. 

“We have great pleasure in making this announcement. I am sure and very confident that through this appointment, our relationship between Pakistan and Samoa will receive a balance of what we want and desire.

“The world is changing; I think that with this important appointment, we have a diplomatic presence in Apia, a beautiful city of nice people.

“I present this document signed by the president of Pakistan appointing Mr. Geoffrey Clarke as the Honorary Consul General of Pakistan to Samoa.”

Earlier this week, Mr. Hashmi presented his credentials to the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi.

“This visit of mine is very useful and fruitful,” he said.

“The day before yesterday (Tuesday) was an important day for me, for my country and for Samoa. In my very small humble capacity, I was able to present my credentials to the government of Samoa. I have had very good meetings at the leadership level; I also had a very good meeting with his Highness the Head of State as well as the Prime Minister.

“I interacted with senior people at the Chamber of Commerce to focus on trying to improve and strengthen our trade interaction with Samoa.”

Tiumalu said he is honoured by the appointment.

“It’s an honour and a privilege for me to be made the Honorary Consul of Pakistan here in Samoa and being the first,” he said.

“Thank you very much High Commissioner for making your way to Samoa to present your credentials and to present me this document.

“Thank you very much and to the Pakistani community, I will now be supporting Pakistan when they play cricket.

“Hopefully over the course of my role as the Honorary Consul, I would like to learn more about Pakistan. I hope over the years I will learn more and maybe one day visit Pakistan.”