Day 7 of the Torch Relay was an 'energy booster'
On the brink of the opening ceremony on Sunday 7 July, the torch relay has assembled the whole nation of Samoa to rally behind the XVI Pacific Games.
On day 7 of the relay people of all ages were present to cheer the torch as it travelled through their villages and children with disabilities stood alongside the road and showed their support.
The day began at the villages of Sapo’e and it ended at Ti’avea. Due to the distance, people jumped in their cars and followed the torch relay.
The event was live-streamed on Facebook.
Read more:
The Samoa 2019 Pacific Games torch relay has brought Samoa together - One in Spirit
The great support shown by the people has even amazed the organising committee.
“Life has opened to another perspective just by seeing the torch relay and the [support of the] people of Samoa,” said Tuifuisa'a Karanita Enari, a committee member of the torch relay.
“For the 2007 Pacific Games, it was organised and run by the SASNOC, the reason why I wasn’t present.
"In my experience working for the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture, I’ve never seen anything like this. I was a teacher for ten years and then worked in the Sports Division for 14 years.”
For what Tuifuisa'a has seen so far, there is fulfilment from coming out to see the support of the people for the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games.
“The greatest audience we are after is our people,” he continued. “Through the late nights and endless effort in making sure the Games is a success, I come out here and have my heart wrecked in the best way. This is an energy booster witnessing the hard work of our people.”
With only five more days before Games time, he is confident the people of Samoa are more than ready to host.
“Like they always say, ‘seeing is believing.’ Our people are grounded and they are always ready to take on any challenge head on.”
