KEYNOTE ADDRESS by the Prime Minister Hon. Fiame Naomi Mataafa [Saturday, 5th April 2025]
Talofa lava, and a warm welcome to our distinguished Guests, Captains, Crews and Supporters gathered here for the 26th Annual Samoa International Game Fishing Tournament.
This year we are honoured to host an impressive overseas representation of boats including 5 from New Zealand, 6 from American Samoa, 1 from Tonga not to mention a very impressive local representation of 17 boats flying the Samoan Flag.
Unlike last year, this year‘s tournament is doubling as the Inaugural Neptune Pacific Direct Line (NPDL) Pacific Islands Game Fishing Tournament. This is the first of its kind in the Pacific. After Samoa, the boats are off to American Samoa then to Tonga for the final leg.
Over the next week of competition friendships will be forged and stories will be told over a few cleansing ales. Stories of how you landed the big one and stories of how you dropped the big one. The latter being where tall tales associated with fishing come from. Only you and your crew know so this can be embellished to no end. The fish can be as big as you say it was and no one can argue.
For our overseas guests I hope that you will take some time to explore our Beautiful Samoa. Experience our culture, our people and our diverse landscapes.
In closing I wish to congratulate the President, Vaughan Simpson, and SIGFA for putting together yet another great event, and in particular for initiating the first ever Pacific Islands Fishing Tournament!
For all the participants may your lines be tight and the fish aplenty. Be safe and I wish you all the best of luck.
Fa’afetai tele lava, and let the 26th Samoa International Game Fishing Tournament begin!
SOIFUA.
Photo by the Government of Samoa (Peseta Tusiga Taofiga)
