Football Federation American Samoa’s (FFAS) headquarters and beautifully maintained playing field were devastated by multiple earthquakes and tsunamis that led to over 100 fatalities in American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga on 29 September 2009.
All U-20 training sessions were subsequently switched to the Kananafou Theological Centre’s sports field in the nearby Tafuna area. However, last Friday marked a morale boosting return for the national squad as FFAS grounds staff declared the pitch ready for use once again.
The squad is preparing to compete in the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland between 21-25 January 2010.
Also competing for a spot at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2010 in Germany will be the Cook Islands, defending OFC champions New Zealand and Tonga.
A delighted FFAS CEO Tavita Taumua was quick to acknowledge the assistance of the Congressional Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS) which has allowed the U-20 squad to maintain its fitness and training.
“I am very thankful towards CCCAS Chairman Reverend Samuelu Tialavea for allowing us to use their field for our practice sessions,” Taumua pointed out.
“Without the CCCAS’ permission we wouldn’t have been able to train at all.”
FFAS secretariat staff worked tirelessly after the disaster to clear debris off the Pago Pago pitch, patch up craters and re-grow quality grass.
FFAS Field Maintenance Manager Paepae Soia Su helped nurse the field back to a healthy state and performed a patchwork repair job upon the badly damaged areas.
Last week, Paepae and assistant Lemusa Alatasi were able to declare the field ready to mark off a (FIFA) minimum sized field with penalty and goal boxes as well as the center circle.
While repairs to the field are ongoing, FFAS management are confident that all future U-20 training sessions will be held at the Pago Pago field until the team departs in mid-January for the OFC qualifiers in New Zealand.
Story and photo courtesy of FFAS Media