The 60^th Independence Committee has decided to defer the fautasi race regatta and other traditional canoe race to the end of the year due to minimal number of interested groups. 

Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said an update from the Independence sub-committee recommended that the traditional canoe race be deferred to allow ample time for preparations. 

“The reason given and you have already publicised this is there are only three fautasi [interested],” said Fiame in a press conference this week. 

“The view from the sub-committee responsible for the fautasi and other traditional canoe race its best to defer the event to allow for preparations because it’s not an easy task and it is proposed and recommended to have it at the end of the year…”

Despite $60,000 in price money for the winning crew, it was not enough to lure more teams to register, given the short period of time for groups to put a crew together. 

It has been six years since the country had last put together a national fautasi race after it was dropped by the then Independence Organising Committee and incorporated in the Teuila Festival. 

But in 2017 the traditional fautasi regatta was abandoned altogether by the Teuila festival and replaced with traditional dancing and other forms of entertainment. 

The last time Samoa celebrated the Teuila Festival was two years ago due to the border closure and COVID-19 restrictions. 

Shortly after 1 June when the nation began celebration of the country's 60^th Independence, a meeting was called by the committee to gather all interested groups and individuals to join the fautasi race. 

The meeting was also for others who were interested in the half sized fautasi race known as the tulula which is traditionally for women, the paopao and alo va’a race. A little over 10 individuals attended the closed door meeting in June. 

The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (F.E.S.A.) Commissioner, Tanuava Petone Mauga – who is a member of the organising committee – said the Teuila Festival will be incorporated in the country's 12-month long independence celebration. 

Tanuvasa said there will still be a Miss Samoa pageant in September organised by the manaia Events Incorporated.