Samoa PM Tuilaepa eyes Pacific Games gold medal

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is eyeing a gold medal performance at the upcoming Pacific Games in Apia later in the year.

But first things first.

He realises that he has to earn a spot in the Samoa Archery Team to compete in the Games, first.

“I am not a walk in,” he said during practise Saturday afternoon at his residence. “There is no preferential treatment here and I am treated like any other competitor.

“Earning the right to represent your country at any international sporting event is the highest honour that any person can ask for. And I will make the final cut to compete in the Pacific Games on my own steam power.”

Tuilaepa found his way into the Pacific Games history books as the first Prime Minister to compete in any international sports competition when he represented Samoa in archery in the 2007 Pacific Games in Samoa.

As a sportsman, Tuilaepa says that he has unfinished business with the Pacific Games and will be aiming for his Gold Medal which he missed in 2007 in Apia.

The Prime Minister won a silver medal in the 2007 Games.

This time around, he says like any athlete the gold medal is the target but if he does not achieve his target then Samoa has already won gold. “In my book, I have already won gold for Samoa as the oldest athlete to compete in the Games,” said the Prime Minister.

The Games, which take place every four years, are due to be held in Samoa from July 7 to 20.

In all around 4,000 athletes are expected to compete in the two week event.

 

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