Siva Afi hosted an exclusive cultural evening last Tuesday to celebrate the return of the Manu Samoa Sevens team and management and continue their fundraising for international competition this year. 

The Minister of Education Sports and Culture, Seuula Ioane, gave the keynote address and welcomed the guests, saying he had to seek the leave of parliament, in order to be the keynote speaker at the occasion.

He acknowledged Leota Lene and his wife Clare for their dedication in promoting Samoa's famous cultural dance, the ailao afi.

"Ailao is not a Hawaiian word but I have seen that Hawaiians were better at the ailao afi at one point,” the Minister said. 

“But now, I want to thank Leota and his wife for preserving and promoting Samoa's heritage through the ailao afi.” 

Turning to the Manu Sevens team, specifically the head coach Muliagatele Brian Lima,  Seuula congratulated the coach and the team on behalf of the Government and the country. 

"I speak not just for myself, but for the whole unvoiced country who feel the same,” the Minister said. 

“Thank you and congratulations for your sportsmanship. I brought with me one word for the coaches, the word is discipline, your discipline has made the team manageable.”

Turning to the performance of the individual players, the Minister said he was impressed with the humility and gratitude that the team and its players are showing at all their international tournaments.

"The local players were respectful and cheerful. I saw that the way you played this time has been different. 

“Other times, with sportspeople, once they score, they point their hands everywhere. That is how they show their joy in scoring. 

“But most of you scored quietly, you scored with humility and gratitude to God for the blessing.”

The Minister also acknowledged lawyer Aumua Ming Leung-Wai and the Marist Brothers Old Pupils' Association for promoting rugby in the country as well as the Ott Constructors Tama Uli of Savai'i for its iconic victory the previous weekend to win the  34th Vailima International Marist 7s.

Leota Lene then reminded the guests that the Manu Samoa was the reason Samoa was promoted globally in 1991, and Muliagatele Brian was the youngest member of the team as he was only 19 when he was chosen for the national team. 

A special dance item was then presented by the Ailao club for the team on behalf of all the supporters abroad and locally to thank the team for a job well done. 

Aumua, the Marist Brothers Old Pupils' Association President, then presented $2,000 from S.S.A.B to the Manu Samoa Team as a challenge for the rest of the business representatives present to donate to the team. 

Emphasising that Leota Lene was a Marist member, Aumua indicated that Muliagatele was his classmate and the deputy coach of the team was also at St Joseph's, while Tuala Pat Leota is younger and was his trainee at St Joseph's College.

He also reminded the players that the Manu Samoa is a warrior from Falealili, referencing the M.C of the evening, Fuimaono Gafatasi Viiga and Tuatagaloa Joe Annandale who are kings of Falealili. 

The spokesperson for the Manu 7s team, Faamaoni, thanked Leota Lene for supporting the Manu Samoa Sevens and also acknowledged the business people who supported the event. He made reference to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the team in their first weeks of travel but they persevered because of their duty to serve the country. 

He also thanked the Minister for attending the event, despite his other important ministerial duties while also mentioning the support and encouragement of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet when they were down with COVID-19

 Molioo Pio Molioo – who represented Fexco Western Union and #1 Currency at the reception – then presented a cheque for $20,000 to become a major sponsor of the 20th International Siva Afi Competition which will be held in Apia from 24–25 November this year.