Vodafone Samoa will start assessing applications next week from local Samoan girls who expressed interest in participating in Miss Global 2023.

The telecommunication company's Chief Executive Officer, Rana Bose told the media in a press conference on Wednesday that all the applications they received were from local girls.

It was also confirmed that whoever is selected from the applications to participate in the Miss Global 2023 will not use the name "Samoa". 

Mr. Bose said that there are complications with the Samoa Government not giving any support or approval for the contestant to use the country's name at the international pageant in Vietnam later this year. 

"Vodafone probably created history today as this is the first time ever a reigning international beauty pageant winner has come to Samoa," Mr. Bose said.  

"It feels great that we are part of history. We will be sending a contestant to Vietnam, however, there are complications and we cannot use the name of Samoa, which is a challenge. 

"So, a Samoan girl will be participating and we will be sending a contestant, but will not be using the name of Samoa. At this stage, we are thinking of using Miss Polynesia or Oceania. 

"As much as we want to see Samoa represented, however, there are complications because this is a privately funded and organised contestant."

Mr. Bose did not disclose how many applications they received. There was an expectation that Samoan girls currently resident in New Zealand and Australia would be interested, added Mr. Bose, but only local applicants sent through applications. 

"So we are evaluating the applications starting next week and if we cannot get a suitable candidate from the applicants, then we will go with the second option of selecting a candidate and we need a strong candidate. 

"There was a lot of social media suggestions with people asking why we cannot send the current Miss Samoa or the former Miss Samoa Haylanni Pearl Kuruppu. 

"But Haylanni is going to the Pacific Games so she will not be taking part. She is very close to us but she is representing Samoa in the Pacific Games and it happens at the same time as the pageant. 

"We also considered sending the current Miss Samoa, and we discussed with S.T.A. however they did not agree. We discussed this with the Head of the Miss Global organisation. They have accepted our invitation, and we will represent using a different name, but it will be a Samoan girl."

Mr. Bose added that this is a good marketing strategy for Samoa, as he believes that having Miss Global 2022, Shane Tormes in Samoa is already promoting Samoa as she is sharing her visit and journey to Samoa with the millions of followers of the Miss Global pageant. 

And despite having no support from the Samoa Government and disapproval of using the country's name, Mr. Bose remains optimistic. He believes this is a good way to promote Samoa as a nation, its cultural values and beliefs. 

Looking ahead, Mr. Bose said the results of the Miss Global pageant in Vietnam will determine the continuation of this venture by Vodafone Samoa. There will be 75 contestants vying for the title and hoping that whoever they appoint to represent the nation will make it into the top 10.