Communities unite as the Torch Relay continues on Day 10
Two more days before the opening ceremony for the XVI Pacific Games and Samoa is ‘on fire’ as the torch relay continues its journey around Upolu.
On the tenth leg of the relay, athletes from Vanuatu and Tonga ran together with the students from George Brown Primary School, a Methodist Church of Samoa school.
Many of the schools representing the different countries that are participating in the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games have brought a new audience to support the torch relay - people from neighbouring countries.
As the torch passed through the Games Village in Faleula, athletes who have arrived for the Games, including Team Papua New Guinea, were standing alongside the road cheering as the torch was carried by the students of George Brown Primary School.
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The team from Cook Islands followed the queue of cars rallying behind the torch with their drums and traditional instruments, cheering as the torch was travelling through the village of Faleula.
Among the highlights today were the students from Sagaga College. They have adopted the country of Tonga as part of the In-School programme led by the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture, and performed the Tongan war dance in front of the Laumua-o-Tumua market.
Their passionate performance entertained a large crowd.
People from different communities patiently waited for the torch baton to arrive. The decorations displayed and the joyful noises of the crowd indicated the excitement they felt as Samoa prepares to host the Pacific Games for a third time.
There has been great involvement by the community and also the sponsors of the Games, such as the Samoa Commercial Bank and SkyEye Samoa with representatives from both carrying the torch baton.
Today, the torch relay began from the village of Leulumoega.
Saint Mary’s Primary School ended the day of celebration with chants and the national anthem of their adopted country, Australia.
