KEYNOTE ADDRESS by the Minister of Sports and Recreation Hon. Laumatiamanu Ringo Purcell (Saturday 19 April 2025)
Lau susuga Taitai o le Sauniga
Your Excellencies and Esteemed Guests
Your Excellency Fei Mingxing, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Samoa
Your Excellency Will Robinson, Australian High Commissioner
Your Excellency Si’alei Van Toor, New Zealand High Commissioner
Esteemed village leaders of Siumu, Maninoa, and A’aga Ulugia Jay Schuster and the Alo Paopao Committee Distinguished paddlers, supporters, families, and guests
Talofa lava and warm greetings to you all.
Ua motu i le vasa le su’igaula nai le papa. O loo ua musa foi i Foga’a le Sanalaala. O Talaleomalie le alo o le Tuiatua, ae ta’alo i le vai le ataata o le tama o Samoanagalo.
E matagofie, ē latou te aumaia le Talalelei ma le finagalo o le Atua, e le tau faailo ina foi le lupe ua mua, auā ua mua mea i Matautu Sa, ua motu i le lagi ona vi’i, auā ua lele malie le siufofoga o le Auauna a le Atua i lenei taeao fou. Viia le Atua soifua.
Talitonu ua fa’afofoga le lagi i talosaga molia ma ua nofo fale foi ia Satuiama’a le feau mo tatou i lenei aso. Malō le folau i lagimā. Ae manatu ona o lo o filogia la tatou mafutaga, o le a faaaoga ai le gagana faafaigofie mo a tatou Malō.
It is with great honor that we convene today to formally inaugurate the Le Miti Aito International 2025. More significantly, we embark on a new journey of community, culture, and opportunity for our youth through the establishmentof the Miti Va’a Scholarship Fund.
This event, which originated in 2016 as Le Aito Samoa in collaboration with Tahiti’s Te Aito Race, returns today with profound significance, reborn as Le Miti Aito International in tribute to the late Miti Cheung Fuk.
Miti was not merely a business leader; she was a mother who transformed adversity into hope. When her son faced challenges in his youth, she recognized the ocean as his sanctuary and source of strength.
Her decision to uplift him and others in similar circumstances led to her support of paddling programs for over two decades. Her benevolence extended beyond her own child, reaching every young individual in need of guidance and belonging.
Her compassion for children, her vision for community, and her unwavering support of paddling are the reasons we honour her name today. This race perpetuates her spirit.
In furtherance of her legacy, we are proud to introduce the Miti Va’a Scholarship Fund, commencing here in the District of Siumu. Forty young paddlers from the villages of Siumu, Maninoa, and A’aga will receive comprehensive scholarships covering: School fees, Uniforms, Equipment and; Training
This marks only the beginning, with plans to expand to Apia and Vaiala, and eventually across Samoa. This initiative transcends paddling; it is about cultivating confident leaders, reconnecting with our heritage, and fortifying our villages through teamwork, resilience, and identity.
The Ministry of Sports and Recreation is dedicated to elevating sports and recreational activities of all types, recognizing their pivotal role in the development of our people and our nation. This program and the scholarships offered align with the Ministry’s goals and objectives by fostering personal growth, community engagement, and national pride through sports.
I am therefore especially delighted to witness this important milestone in your journey. We have already witnessed the potential of this program, as it has nurtured paddlers who achieved bronze and silver medals at the 2023 World Distance Championships held here in Samoa.
Today, we are privileged to welcome World Champion Anne Cairns and Carl Barnes, both exemplary role models for our youth.
To our partners, we extend our deepest gratitude to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China for supporting the growth of this program. To Ulugia Jay Ah Fook Schuster, we thank you for your leadership in paddling since 1987.
To all our paddlers today, race with heart, race with courage, and race with pride in your culture.
With that, I hereby officially declare Le Miti Aito International 2025 open and launch the Village and Va’a Scholarship Program.
Fa’afetai tele lava.
Soifua ma ia manuia.
