WEEK OF FOOTBALL EXCITEMENT IN SAMOA
The Samoa Football (Soccer) Association (SFSF) recently enjoyed a week of football celebrations and activities as their 40th Anniversary culminated in the inauguration of their new academy facility, phase 2 of their FIFA Goal Project.
A House of Football boasting an education centre, living quarters and the administration headquarters for the Samoa Football (Soccer) Federation (SFSF), now joins the manicured pitches at the Tuanaimato JS Soccer Complex.
FIFA President Mr. Joseph S. Blatter, was unable to attend the celebrations in person but extended his congratulations to the SFSF.
“On behalf of the worldwide football community, it is a pleasure for me to send my warmest congratulations and tidings of good will to the SFSF on the occasion of the inauguration of its second FIFA Goal project, the National Football Academy and Headquarters.
“The SFSF National Football Academy and Headquarters will no doubt be a benefit to the whole country and contribute enormously for the future of football, particularly for all the nation’s young people – boys and girls who will enjoy the football and educational opportunities that the facilities will offer today and long in the future”
Prior to the inauguration celebrations Oceania Football Confederation President Mr. Reynald Temarii – on his third trip to Samoa this year – opened the FIFA Com-Unity Course, a three-day workshop designed to improve awareness of the value football can have in a country.
“These types of courses are important for our national associations as they help improve the abilities and skills of our people,” said Mr. Temarii, who also commended the hard work of the hundreds of volunteers in Samoa and thousands throughout the Oceania region.
While in Apia Mr. Temarii further outlined the Confederation’s plans for the next 12 years including the key task of developing and implementing youth programmes and tournaments to develop OFC’s next generation of players.
The cornerstone project of this task is the “OFC Youth Festival of Football” which will begin in mid-2006. The OFC Executive Committee will finalize the concept at the FIFA congress in Marakesh, Morocco in September this year.
Mr. Temarii also met with the Honorable Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, where he voiced a request that all Pacific Islands synchronize their school calendars. The Samoan Prime Minister gave his word that he would bring this issue up at the next Pacific Island Forum.
Such a move will assist planning for OFC’s international tournaments in the future to avoid clashes with important school exams.
Vanuatu will celebrate the opening of their FIFA Goal Project facility in Port Vila on Saturday 27 August, with a FIFA Com-Unity Course running from 24 – 26 August.
Check out the story from the Samoa Observer here,Here’s to the future