Team samoa off to a good start in saipan

The 11th Pacific Mini Games were officially opened last Friday 17th June, 2022 in Saipan, marking the Game’s return for the first time in five years, as well as the first time the event has ever been hosted by the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.

The opening ceremony was attended by more than 1,800 athletes, officials, media, and support staff, including Team Samoa who marched proudly amongst 19 other Pacific countries.

Yesterday the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) released another exciting update on the team’s progress so far.

The latest update reports that after the first 5 days of the Tennis tournament, Eleanor Schuster has progressed to quarterfinals in the Women’s Singles to face Team Papua New Guinea’s Violet Apisah.

Samoa’s Women’s Double Team made up of Mahinarangi Warren and Eleanor Schuster, has also made it to the quarterfinals against Raulerson and Heras of Team Northern Marianas.

Both of Team Samoa’s Mixed Double Teams have successfully advanced to the second round, with the Men’s Doubles Team Leon Soonalole and Kristen Pavitt playing their first round yesterday.

The tournaments for Weightlifting and Beach Volleyball kicked off at the start of the week on Monday, while Athletics and Golf began yesterday, Tuesday 21st June.

The update also confirmed that all our selected weightlifters were verified at the Weightlifters Verification Meeting on Saturday 18th June 2022, and are all set to compete.

S.A.S.N.O.C shared that Team Samoa are all doing well in Saipan and continue to extend their gratitude to all the people of Samoa for their endless prayers and support.  

The media release also noted that Team Samoa had been well taken care of by the Samoan community in Saipan, who hosted them on Sunday for Mass and Toonai.

All proceedings of the Pacific Mini Games are livestreamed and can be watched on the ‘Northern Marianas Pacific Mini Games 2022’ Youtube channel.