Long holiday weekend packed with events including Mr. Cowboy

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The American Samoa National Olympic Committee (ASNOC) is planning a send-off event for Team American Samoa before they depart next Monday to compete in the 17th Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands.

The event is slated for Saturday November 11, 2023 and the ASNOC has encouraged the Territory’s national sports delegation to honor and support our military veterans by attending the Veterans Candlelight Vigil planned for Friday night, November 10th at 6- 7pm at the Veterans Memorial at the Sen. Daniel Inouye Industrial Park.

The Olympic Day and Team American Samoa Send-Off Event kicks off early Saturday morning with a 5k Walk/10k Run which athletes/officials’ families and the public are invited and encouraged to attend.

Registration will begin at 5am and the first 300 participants to register will receive free Olympic Day/Team ASA shirt. The Walk/Run starts at 6am to be followed by a Zumba/Exercise Activity.

Formalities get underway at 9am with special remarks from ASNOC President Tuia’ana Ed Imo and a representative from the Office of the Governor.

Members of Team American Samoa (athletes and officials) will be officially introduced, and medals will be presented to the winners of the 5k Walk/10k Run.

At the conclusion of the program, the Veterans Day Event — “Thank a Veteran Under the Stars” — begins with games and activities for children and the highlight of the night is the free concert featuring up-and-coming singers from Samoa, Nato Penei & Brothers, Paul Leti & Friends and the renowned Samoan Country Star Sam Chookoon better known as Mr. Cowboy.

Mr. Cowboy is not a stranger to the Territory having wooed enthusiastic country fans during a sold-out concert at the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium back in August, and his fans will no doubt take advantage of the free of charge opportunity to watch him strut his stuff on stage and listen to his deep country voice.

On Sunday afternoon, at 3 o’clock November 12th, a prayer service for Team American Samoa will be held at the Nu’uuli CCCAS and team members’ families and friends are invited to attend.

According to ASNOC General Secretary Ethan Lake, all the logistics for the team’s departure and participation in the Pacific Games have been finalized and everything is looking good.

“I’d like to acknowledge with thanks the support of Governor Lemanu, Lt. Governor Talauega and their administration, the various local businesses and members of the private sector, parents and families of the athletes and officials which has made our team’s participation in the 17th Pacific Games possible,” Lake stated. “I’m sure all the sports teams and athletes will give their all as they represent American Samoa in this prestigious international sports event.”

He added that all the team members have been undergoing physicals conducted by the team doctors, Dr. Ben Siatu’u and Dr. Jerry Kena and have taken preemptive measures to protect them from contracting malaria while in the Solomons, by taking malaria pills before departure, which they will continue to take everyday for the duration of their stay in the Solomons and for two weeks after their arrival back home.

Team American Samoa will depart on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 7pm on a Solomon Islands Charter flight.