The Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympics Committee (S.A.S.N.O.C.) has proposed to reward all medalists, including silver and bronze medalists, coaches, and sports teams.

This was confirmed by the Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) of the Association, Tuala Mathew Vaea last week regarding the Government's financial awards for the medalists who claimed medals at the Pacific Games XVII in the Solomon Islands.

"Under the sports award policy from the government, after any international sports event, there are guidelines in place for these hence our proposal submitted to the new Ministry of Sports for the 35 gold medalists," he said.

"But we have also included in the proposal our request to also reward all those who claimed medals including silver and bronze medals as well as the coaches and sports teams for the government's consideration."

Tuala stressed that under the Cabinet Directive in place, gold medalists are to be rewarded $2,000 while coaches are rewarded $1,000 which was the case during the Pacific Games in 2019 when Samoa claimed 38 gold medals.

"There is also an allocated reward for team sports and coaches which get about $1,000 hence why we have put in this request of course we will prioritise our gold medalists but we'll see as we are still waiting on the Ministry's word on that," he added.

Meanwhile, the newly established Ministry for Sports and Recreation is now tasked to be responsible for proposing financial rewards for the national athletes who win gold medals from any international competition.  

Team Samoa claimed a total of 34 gold, 21 silver, and 21 bronze medals from the recently concluded Pacific Games held in the Solomon Islands last month.

Last year in October, the government through the Gambling Control Authority awarded weightlifter Don Opeloge $20,000 after he smashed the record in the men's 96kg during last year's Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England. 

The weightlifting guru, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork was also presented a $10,000 cheque for leading the team to success at the Commonwealth Games.