Football Federation Samoa (FFS) and Tonga Football Assocation (TFA) both held their Congresses over the weekend to elect the Executive members who will lead each organisation for the next four-year term.

The success of Petana and Ve’ehala follows on from their election to the OFC Executive Committee for the first time in January 2011 at the OFC Congress in American Samoa.

“I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Togia Toetu Petana and Lord Ve’ehala,” said President Chung. “They have both shown experience and expertise as well as dedication and commitment to developing football in their respective regions. Therefore we are not surprised that the football families of Samoa and Tonga have endorsed them to lead for the next four years.”

In the case of Samoa, the elective Congress marks a significant milestone. The federation has been through a challenging period recently with FIFA setting up a normalisation committee in 2008. Former New Zealand International Colin Tuaa was appointed Interim Chairman and CEO of the committee during 2009 while Petana took over as Chairman in 2010 with Fred Young being appointed as CEO Designate from this time.

After two years of committed work to develop football infrastructure, improve administrative practices and rebuild the sport, this weekend’s Congress signifies the end of the normalisation period as Petana and his newly elected Executive take over the reigns.

Petana will be supported by Vice President Rev. Laupama Solomona and Executive members Faumuina Michael Kapisi, Palota Asiata and Emily Young.

Meanwhile in Tonga, TFA held its Congress at the ‘Home of Football’ in ‘Atele on Saturday.

Incumbent Lord Ve’ehala secured 11 of the 16 votes available and enters his fifth term since 1996 when he was first elected President.

Former Vice President Paula Ma’u was elected to the position of Senior Vice President while Honourable Moimoi Vaea retained his Vice President seat, alongside Lady Robin Kaho Tuivakano and newcomer ‘Alone Veatufunga of Longoteme Football Club.

Fetu’u Vea was elected unopposed as treasurer after the association’s long serving treasurer Lui Aho took up an official appointment as General Secretary on 1January 2011.

The TFA President thanked all participants for their part in making the Congress a success.

“My sincere gratitude and thanks, first and foremost, goes to all club representatives for vesting their confidence in myself and the new Executive. I look forward toworking with the football staff together with communities and schools as westrive towards achieving TFA’s vision of becoming Tonga’s number one sport by 2020,” Ve’ehala said.