FIFA Goal Project – “Blessing For Our Island Community”

The American Samoa Football Association is proud to announce the very successful Ground Breaking Ceremony of the FIFA Goal Project at Pago Park, Pago Pago, American Samoa on the 13th July 2006, on a day when a “shower of blessing” covered the village of Pago Pago, but even the tropical downpour could not dampen the enthusiasm and exited gathering.

In a short but historic ceremony Governor Togiola Tulafono of American Samoa, was joined by Pago Pago’s council members including Paramount Chief Mauga Asuega, Senator and High Talking Chief Tuaolo Fruean and Representative Muavaefa’atasi Ae Ae Jr., and other leading Government Officials.

FIFA Development Officer, Glenn Turner, Ray Vuksich of Vuksich & Borich NZ Ltd, the ASFA Normalisation Committee, members of the football family and fans, witnessed a noteworthy milestone in the development of the sport in the country.

Governor Togiola expressed his deepest thanks to FIFA President Blatter, the FIFA Goal Bureau and to OFC President Temarii and the OFC Secretariat for their ongoing support of football in American Samoa.

“This is a blessing for our island community because it now empowers our national association to truly develop the sport with genuine priorities and accept help through FIFA and OFC on what our true needs are,” said Togiola. He continued “Here we’re getting help in infrastructure, administration, education and youth football (soccer).”

FIFA Oceania DO Glenn Turner expressed his appreciation for the local support for this much-needed project for the Territory. “We are very happy to have completed the groundbreaking on this significant project. We would like to thank Governor Togiola for his earnest support of our efforts to bring the great game of football to the Territory. We all look forward to many successful years of football in American Samoa,” said Turner.

Following construction the benefits of the realized facility to the sport will be significant, with increased participation for boys and girls, men and women, increased competition opportunities at all levels, educational courses and hopefully a catalyst to assist in taking national teams to a competitive level in the Oceania region.

The FIFA Goal Project is an initiative by FIFA to assist countries around the world to construct their very own “House of Football” and technical facilities for the development and continued progress of football activities. Significant support has also been approved by the Oceania Football Confederation as part of their Infrastructure Grant Scheme.

Pago Park will see a major transformation with the construction of International standard football pitches, National Headquarters and a Technical Centre.

With construction to start immediately and a completion time frame of 6 months, planning is already commenced for the Inauguration to be held in January 2007.