Family of sponsors carry torch on last day of relay

Elegance, grace and enthusiasm have driven the expedition of the XVI Pacific Games torch relay around Savai’i, to Manono and around Upolu over the last two weeks.

‘One in Spirit’ is the slogan of the Games. The engagement of the people with the torch relay has demonstrated that with no stone unturned for what is now called the ‘Miracle Games.’

Today was  the eleventh and last day of the torch relay, which is supported by the platinum sponsor of the Games, Samoa Commercial Bank. 

On Sunday evening the touch will light up the cauldron for the at the Opening Ceremony at Apia Park Stadium.

Culture and family are the two main pillars that hold Samoan culture together. From the start of the torch relay on the big island of Savai’i the people went out of their way to show pride in that culture as Samoa prepares to host the Games for a third time. 

People have worn traditional costumes of the different 24 nations now in Samoa to compete in the Games.

Students from around the country were the torch bearers for the torch relay until today, when the baton was carried by the family of sponsors who are supporting the Games, financially.

Silver sponsor, Samoa Stationery and Books (SSAB) kick started the day with staff who are part of Team Samoa as torch bearers.

Naydith Events Operations Manager and Director, Olotoi Joseph Faolotoi ran with the torch holding a toddler in his arms - a demonstration of the driving force of their business, which is family.

The team from Digicel, the official sponsor of the Games, ended the torch relay. 

Directors of the Games, Su’a Faafouina Su’a and Masoe Norman Wetzell also carried the torch baton at Mulinu’u and the Minister of Communication Information and Technology, Afamasaga Rico Tupa’i, was another torch bearer today.

 

Photo supplied