The only all-female angler team currently competing in the Samoa International Game Fishing Tournament 2023 was given a boost after the Prime Minister won the auction for Team Fiauli's boat at the Calcutta event. 

Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa showed her support by putting in a bid during the auction and came out the winner on Saturday, to the delight of  Team Fiauli. 

Twenty-four boats were on auction at the Calcutta as part of the tournament's official opening held at the Samoa International Game Fishing Association (S.I.G.F.A.). Following the completion of formalities, the Prime Minister's bid of SAT$1,300 came out on top to confirm her support for the team and the tournament. 

Of the 24 boats that went under the hammer, Prime Minister Fiamē waited for the all-women's boat to be called up so she can bid and she won at the first attempt. 

S.I.G.F.A. auctioned each boat for a maximum of 5,000 which meant anyone had a chance of winning the title of the boat through the auction.

"A boat may go for 500 or 3000, and all of that money at the end of the auction is put in a pool of money and a certain portion of that money goes back to SIGFA to be used for its revenues then the remaining money is split into five different pools and whoever wins first place in the tournament, their boat will also be first in the Calcutta so it'll be additional money on top of the first prize for the tournament," Randy Sizemore, tournament committee assistance told Samoa Observer.

"So if a skipper won the tournament and had bid on his boat during the auction, he'll get he prize money and the Calcutta money but if someone else bid on the boat."

Team Fiauli is the first all-women’s team currently competing in the Samoa International Game Fishing Tournament.

Samoa is playing host to international participating anglers from 29 April to 6 May 2023 and it is expected to be a competitive event as these women are serious as they competed in the Open category. 

The “Team Fish Lady” led by Skipper, Measina Meredith on their “Fiauli” boat along with local and international teams. Their boat is one of the smallest boats in the competition. The game fishing tournament attracted 24 teams from Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa, and 19 Samoan local crews. It is being held at the Samoa International Game Fishing Association (S.I.G.F.A.) headquarters.