Athletes lined up and paraded at the Apia Park Stadium in a first of its kind celebration. Samoa Games was officially opened on Saturday evening with athletes, families and friends in attendance celebrating sports.

All sports under the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) will participate in the Samoa Games which gets underway this week. 

The Minister for Education Sport and Culture, Seuula Ioane Tuaau, officially opened the Samoa Games celebration in a speech that honoured all athletes, sports officials and the development of sport within Samoa.

The athletes from over 20 different sports federations were lead on to the field by Samoa’s Police Band followed by the raising of the Samoan Ffag and the raising of the new Samoa Game’s flag.

“I want to salute and honor our sports here today especially the athletes, the officials and our wonderful volunteers and families. Linking the Samoa Games 2023 to the official closing of the celebration of Samoa’s 60 years of independence is a great milestone for Samoa and Sports,” said the Minister.

He acknowledged the part pports has played in Samoa’s development and for its people through the promotion of education and good health, and in the strive for excellence in personal aspirations.

“It goes without saying that the economic contribution of sports is a growing market space for Samoa with its wonderful sporting facilities. It brings me great pleasure to now officially open the Samoa Games 2023,” said Seuula.

Sporting competitions will officially start on Monday 20 May. SASNOC is yet to release a schedule of all the events and where they will be held.

Tofilau Avii Magele and Don Opeloge were nominated as the two prominent male and female high end contributors to Samoa’s sports who spoke on behalf of sports officials and athletes in a short declaration on the integrity of sports as athletes and match officials.