Another fautasi regatta has been confirmed to be held next month as one of the highlights to mark the Teuila 2023 celebration making it the second fautasi race this year.

Minister of Police, Lefau Harry Schuster confirmed this in an interview with Radio Samoa last week who stressed that the government considered the request from the fautasi crews for another race for the Teuila of this year.

"There were several requests from the fautasi crews who questioned if there will be another fautasi race for the Teuila this year as they wanted a second race this year so we've approved for the race to be held during the Teuila," he said.

"We're looking at whether there will be any other crews that may be up to challenge the Tolotolo o Tamuli and our people are used to these twomain events during the Teuila which are the Fautasi regatta and the Miss Samoa pageant."

Lefau added that prior to the Teuila commemorations, starting this month, the country will be expecting more tourists in Samoa by the end of this month, as the nation will host the International Vaa Federation World Distance championship. Thirty countries are confirmed to participate in this event.

Other than the fautasi race, the Minister added that the government is also trying revive the Kilikiti Samoa traditional sport.

Meanwhile, Tolotolo o le Tamauli fautasi crew from Savaii were the champions of the fautasi race which was held this year to conclude the commemorations of the country's year-long celebrations. Five crews competed.

The Fautasi regatta – was timed to coincide with the country's 60th Independence anniversary celebration.

It has been more than five years since the country last held a national fautasi race after it was dropped by the previous Independence Committee and incorporated into the Teuila Festival. 

In 2017 the traditional fautasi regatta was abandoned altogether at the Teuila festival, and replaced with traditional dancing and other forms of entertainment.