The Chief Executive Officer for the Samoa International Cricket Association, Sala Stella Tagitau has cleared the air on rumours of a kilikiti Samoa tournament being hosted at the Oval Gardens in Tuanaimato. 

She said there was no consultation done and the cricket association has their calendar of events which was set from the beginning of the year. 

"There was no consultation between us and the Board of Kilikiti Samoa or whoever the leaders are of the Samoa Kilikiti. We only hear news from here and there and through word of mouth but no one has ever come from the board of Kirikiti Samoa to have a proper dialogue and have a proper meeting," she said.

"To have some kind of consultation to ask us about their request and what they want to do."

"We have our calendar of events and Teuila is an annual tournament for cricket. We don't know why all of a sudden, this has come up. There are so many kilikiti Samoa pitches out there, you know that slab of cement, they can play at Faleula, you know the Methodist Theological College or Lepea, Manono or even Savaii as well. 

"Even Pago they've held some kilikiti Samoa as well as in Australia and New Zealand. For the life of me, I don't understand why all of a sudden they want to come and play on this pitch. These pitches are for international tournaments."

S.I.C.A. has just finished hosting their back-to-back international tournaments.

"We broke a world record. We have helped put Samoa on the map. It's very unfortunate that there was no consultation and this has come up. But that doesn't mean we are going to stop our tournament, we are going to go ahead and have our tournament."

"With S.I.C.A, there are heaps of opportunities such as employment opportunities for the youth, helps with the economy of our country, sports tourism as well, gender equity and gender balance. 

"With Kirikiti Samoa I don't see any women playing, you know they always promote the men. With cricket, we always make sure that the women are involved because there are heaps of opportunities for women as well. 

"It's good for promoting and tackling health issues. Social coercion. Just sad to hear all these rumours and knowing there's a plan for kilikiti Samoa to be played here at our grounds."

There are 16 men's teams and eight women's teams in the Teuila tournament next week. They will be starting on Monday and throughout the whole Teuila week.

Sala acknowledged the Government for initiating the Teuila Festival week. She believes it is a great initiative by the Government as it helps the economy of Samoa.