2023 Samoa Bowl opens with welcome and entertainment

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Samoa Bowl 2023 officially opened with a welcoming ceremony at the Su'igaula Park in Utulei, Tuesday, Dec. 26. The Samoa Bowl , which was organized some years back as a football game between teams Am Samoa and Samoa-Hawaii has now been brought back to American Samoa to unite local volleyball and football teams, coaches, and families with teams from the Midwest, West Coast, and across the United States.

 “I am delighted to welcome all participating teams, coaches, and players,” Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga said in extending a warm welcome. “This event is dedicated to cultivating talents and creating opportunities for our youth.” Gov. Lemanu emphasized the symbolic significance of the fale talimalo, stating, “Much like the careful construction of the fale talimalo with the sennit rope, our diverse backgrounds are intricately tied together by our shared Samoan roots.”  The governor encouraged the youth to play hard but reminded them to refrain from actions that could cause harm to one another.

 Both the invocation and benediction was delivered by Reverend Mageo Patolo Mageo, adding a spiritual blessing to the commencement of the Samoa Bowl. Chief of Staff Loa Tuimavave T. Laupola, who serves as chairman of the Samoa Bowl committee led the event.

The day's activities continued with an ‘Ava ceremony performed by the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), followed by a cultural day where teams engaged in various presentations of arts and crafts. Volunteers from Territorial Administration on Aging (TAOA) and National Park Service enriched the cultural experience with their contributions.

The day concluded with a dinner hosted by Governor Lemanu and Lt. Governor Talauega E.V. Ale at the Tradewinds Hotel in Tafuna.

 During the dinner, the Midwest volleyball team expressed their gratitude by presenting gift baskets to the dignitaries.  Both the Midwest and local volleyball players performed traditional Siva Samoa numbers, enhancing the sense of camaraderie and cultural exchange.