TOKYO, 07 AUGUST 2021

She paid personal calls to representatives of different sections of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (TOCOG), and Breno Pontes, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Boxing Sport Manager for the Tokyo Games. ‍

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TOCOG thanked by Samoa ambassador to Japan‍

In acknowledgement of TOCOG toward support for organising logistics of Samoan athletes training off-country and those from the diaspora community travelling without the required Chef-de-Mission, Ambassador Sila-Tualaulelei said, ‘Thank you for all your support to the Team, particularly for your friendship and wonderful relationship extended to Samoa’. 

Ambassador Sila-Tualaulelei stated she was speaking on behalf of SASNOC President Patrick Fepuleai, Secretary-General Pauga Talalelei Pauga and Chef-de-Mission Nynette Sass who were in Apia, Team Samoa, and as ambassador in Japan. 

She said, ‘We are a very small team but we are very happy to be here today and our athletes are very grateful for your hard work.’

She said Team Samoa may not have had the privilege of participation had it not been for the TOCOG NOC support team which consisted of Christine Maeda (Relations Coordinator, NOC/NPC Relations Team, Asia & Oceania), Yuka Kotaki (NOC Support Team), Helena Kaiting (NOC Accreditation Manager [Americas and Oceania]), Sato Sakura (NOC Support Team) and Jaelee Yun (Sports Entries Manager).‍

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Gratitude to Breno Pontes in boxing ‍

Ambassador Sila-Tualaulelei accorded the same appreciation to Breno Pontes the IOC Boxing Sport Manager for the Tokyo Olympics.

She acknowledged Pontes’ contribution in ensuring Team Samoa’s two Australian-based boxers Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali (Ato) and Marion Faustino Ah Tong (Tino) not only made it to Tokyo but that their welfare was ensured.

Ambassador Sila-Tualaulelei said, ‘We thank you for your support to our Team, especially your personal support to our two boxers Ato and Tino’.

In response, Pontes said, ‘They deserve to be here,’ and speaking to the Samoan boxing duo said, ‘We’re happy that you’re here and look forward to seeing you three years from now. Clearly you’re good enough to be here and just have to do it again now’.

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Pontes also acknowledged the challenges facing boxing as a sport which is why athlete support was paramount to the International Olympic Committee toward boxers vying for and qualifying for places at the Tokyo Olympics.

Pontes said, ‘I’m only the tip of the iceberg as it has been a whole team that has been working behind the scenes in boxing.

‘We have had some troubles over the years but we are here to wake up early and go to bed early, working just like boxers, to ensure our boxers are looked after.’

For boxers like Ato and Faustino of Team Samoa, there may not have been participation in their chosen sport of boxing given the IOC suspension of the International Boxing Federation (FIBA) in 2019 due to challenges in governance. 

For this reason, in the interest of athletes, the IOC appointed a Boxing Task Force to oversee and manage the sport for the Tokyo Olympics. 

To find out more about the IOC Executive Board appointed Olympic Boxing Task Force (BTF) please visit here.

Ato and Tino are part of a total of 286 boxers (186 men, 100 women) who competed in 13 weight classes (eight for men, five for women). ‍

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The Samoa NOC and their rapid response to ensure Team Samoa representation in Tokyo‍

The Samoa Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) was impacted by the Samoa Government travel restrictions enforced as a means to protect the Samoan population from the COVID-19 pandemic pending a vaccination rollout. 

‘She acknowledged the great work done by the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) led by chef de mission, Nynette Sass in preparing Samoa’s Olympians to qualify and compete at the Summer Olympics.

‘SASNOC did a wonderful job.  Nynette and her team made sure our athletes were well prepared before coming to Tokyo. Even though they couldn’t be here with the team, they ensured all the logistical arrangements were in place and the athletes were taken care of from when they arrived, during the Games and their travel back home. 

‘I salute the hard work and co-ordination going on behind the scenes to ensure our athletes were given the best care and resources available to prepare them for their competition, said Ambassador Sila-Tualaulelei.

The collective efforts of SASNOC, the Samoa Ambassador in Japan, ONOC, and individuals such as Christine Maeda and Breno Pontes ensured Team Samoa participated in Tokyo.

Ambassador Sila-Tualaulelei thanked all stakeholders for the successful outing of Team Samoa that made the country proud. 

For more on the SASNOC, Team Samoa and ONOC way of working together at the Tokyo Olympics please visit here.