The schools’ Athletics Zone Championships have started and it will culminate with the S.S.A.B. Champ of Champs in a fortnight on Friday 15 September.

The schools' athletics competition has returned to centre stage after more than three years as COVID-19 lockdowns did not allow for this annual sporting event to be held. 

Samoa Stationery and Books Limited (S.S.A.B.) have put their support behind the competition and have provided SAT$20,000 to ensure that the games are a safe one and one that the athletes and their families can enjoy.

President of the Samoa Secondary Schools Principals Association, Sale Faletolu said the wait is over and the schools are finally out on the tracks.

“Finally! It’s happening. We are happy that we are doing it this year," he said in a statement. "The athletics are usually held around July every year and although we’re at the end of August going towards September, we still have to do it because we want to provide a platform for the talents of all our students plus we didn’t have one last year."

While S.S.A.B. is the major sponsor for all the four interschool athletics zones taking place this week, its Chief Executive Officer Tofilau Fiti Leung Wai accepted the request from the Secondary Schools Principal’s Association for S.S.A.B. to be the naming rights sponsor of the Interschools Athletics Champ of Champs 2023.

S.S.A.B. Sales and Marketing Manager, Asomua Asia Stanley announced the company’s sponsorship of SAT$20,000 on behalf of the company.

Mr. Faletolu said he and the committee were grateful for the continuous support from the S.S.A.B. over the years.  

“We are always grateful to S.S.A.B. for their endless support, especially for the schools and educational activities not only in Upolu but also in Savai’i," he said. "I extend my gratitude to C.E.O. Tofilau and S.S.A.B. for alleviating the process for us. We didn’t have to do the run-around."

According to C.E.O. Tofilau, their ongoing support for schools and educational activities confirms their commitment to the children of Samoa.

“It is S.S.A.B.’s heart to support the activities that will benefit the children of Samoa on the national level," she said. "We not only support national literacy campaigns but also sports because it’s a vital facet of education.”

While the S.S.A.B. Champ of Champs, the finals of the athletics competition is scheduled for Friday 15 September, the zones have started on Thursday. Zone B will take place on Friday.