Digicel Samoa has agreed to a partnership with the Marist St. Joseph Sports Club to support its annual sporting calendar for this year.

The partnership was signed by Digicel Samoa and the Marist St. Joseph Sports Club on Thursday at the Digicel Samoa Main Office in Apia.

The C.E.O. of Digicel Samoa Seiuli Deepak Khanna said that it is a big day for both the mobile phone company and the sports organisation. 

"It is the start wonderful year, it is the 60th year of independence and with Digicel we have been at the forefront always in terms of nurturing young talent and sportsmen," Seiuli said. "We believe Marist provides the perfect platform to nurture these young talents, get them recognised globally, not just locally and then build up this talent as we go forward. 

"So this year its the start of the annual sporting calendar for Marist and which I believe runs from March to December."

He said this year they will partner with Marist across the various sports such as rugby sevens, touch rugby, rugby league, netball, and boxing.

"So Digicel will be partnering with Marist all through the year," he said. "A big thank you for getting us on board as sponsors."

The Marist St. Joseph Sports Club President Pouniu Peter Schmidt expressed his appreciation to Digicel Samoa and emphasised this is the first time they have partnered with the telecommunications company.

"It's a great pleasure for Marist to have this thing happen and especially at this time," Pouniu said. "As we all know without the love and the help of our sponsors and Marist, we can't do anything. 

"So I would like to say thank you very much to Seiuli and the Board of Directors, the management and all the staff [...] of Digicel. 

"Thank you so much for your kind contributions."

He said that in the past Marist only focused on rugby union, but now in its sixth season they are keen to bring together all the sporting codes under one umbrella. 

"Other events like rugby league, rugby sevens, netball, boxing and we will be looking to extend to other sports, especially at this time I know its hard," he said.

"We've been through the pandemic and its quite hard for business to donate but Digicel putting up their hand and showing love, we really appreciate it.

"And also the Marist didn't do this to get money as we all know this is for the youth of Samoa, especially in sports."