A special service was held at the Ministry of Education and Culture's fale Samoa on Thursday morning to officially welcome the new Minister for Sports and Recreation, Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell. 

The event was attended by the Minister of Education and Culture, the Chief Executive Officer of the two government ministries, management as well as employees of the Ministry in Malifa. 

The formalities began with a brief service led by retired Reverend Vaiao Eteuati, the Commissioner for the Samoan Language Commission. This was followed by an ava ceremony prepared by the ministry to officially welcome the new Minister. 

Laumatiamanu expressed his sincere gratitude to the employees who have been working tirelessly to ensure a smooth separation of the Sports Division from the Ministry of Education and Culture. 

He also asked the employees for their continuous support as he started his term as the Minister for the newly established government Ministry. 

Chief Executive Officer, A'eau Chris Hazelman upon receiving his ava cup welcomed the new Minister on behalf of his staff and vowed that they would support and serve him any way they could during his term. 

Speaking of setting up the new Ministry, now under Laumatiamanu's leadership, A'eau said this is a challenge put forward by the Government for them and they will make sure that the transition will be executed well. 

He also articulated how excited he is with the directive to set up a new Ministry to prioritise the development of sports and recreation activities in the country and wished Laumatiamanu all the best in his new journey as the Minister.

A'eau also used the opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of his staff – who have been working tirelessly day and night for the last three days – to ensure that the transition went according to plan and to make sure everything was in order for the new Minister.

During the interim period, Laumatiamanu will have an office at the Ministry of Education and Culture headquarters at Malifa. The Minister of Education and Culture, Seuula Ioane's office is currently located at the Government Building in Apia. 

A'eau confirmed to the Samoa Observer earlier this week that he will serve the two Ministers in the interim period, though it is likely that there will be a separate C.E.O. for the new government ministry. 

It was also confirmed that the staff currently working in the Sports Division within his Ministry will work under Laumatiamanu. There are plans for the new Ministry to have its own budget separate from the Ministry of Education and Culture in the near future.