Construction work is underway at Vaiala for a new sports park and grandstand with its initiators hoping to revive and strengthen the spirit of sport in the community. 

The new Ulalei Sports Park is being built on a portion of land belonging to the village close to the Taumeasina Island Resort.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Reverend Falefatu Enari, and former Manu Samoa assistant coach, Laki Uaea Apelu who are members of the Ulalei ground committee urged fellow residents to chip in for the future of Vaiala and its children.

"The land where the Apia Park is built belongs to Vaiala and the Apia Park was like one field for all sports. The circumference outside Apia Park was used as a horse race field," said Rev. Enari. "The rugby field used to have nine holes for golf and was also used for rugby and it hosted all the sports for Vaiala back then including cricket.

"For the children nowadays, they have been doing their practice in front of the church minister's house, unless the Apia Park administration allows them to use the park for their training."

For some time now the Vaiala village hasn't had a sporting field with Rev. Enari indicating that they are now appealing to all Vaiala village residents living abroad to support the project by chipping in. 

"The new park will be of international standard and the size of a rugby field plus extensions to the side where the grandstands will be constructed," he said. 

Mr. Apelu emphasised that the purpose of the project is to revive and strengthen the spirit of sports in the village and develop the local talents especially those from the village and the district.

"It’s based on the spirit of Apia Park where people can come to watch and enjoy the sports," he added.

He also spoke fondly of the achievements of Vaiala as a village in sports over the years. A fundraiser event is being hosted by the grounds committee which they also hope can bring all residents of Vaiala together in support. 

This newspaper visited the construction site on Wednesday and was able to confirm that work is being carried out at the new sports park.

Meanwhile, the opening of a new rugby tournament at Vaiala last year is one of the many sports achievements and a long-standing tradition that has kept the village residents busy. The Vaiala Ulalei 7s rugby tournament has a long history and is associated with the Vaiala Ulalei Sports Club to develop its pool of upcoming young players.

The tournament involved six teams named after the traditional sub-villages of Vaiala and its revival comes after many years.

The Malae ta'alo where the new sports park is being built and the Vaiala club president and former coach of Manu Samoa Sevens, Stephen Betham at the time said that the committee is trying to revive the Vaiala Ulalei 7s Rugby Club.