(PRESS RELEASE—APIA PARK—Saturday, 15 October, 2022)—Vailima Ward bested nine other wardteams to clinch the championship cup in the Apia Samoa Central Stake Athletics Day 2022 contest held at Apia Park.
More than 700 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 10 wards gathered at Apia Park on Saturday, 15 October, in the spirit of fun and fitness.
The athletics day event was part of the stake’s Family Proclamation aimed at raising awareness on the fight against violence and to promote healthy living, said Muagututia Jason Joseph, President of Apia Samoa Central Stake.
The day also served as a lasting reminder about the importance of the family unit in God’s Plan ofHappiness, he said.
“Now this activity promotes family health and fitness, ideally, to stay fit to avoid all those diseases likediabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, gout, heart and lung diseases,” President Joseph said.
“All for healthy living. This goes along with the Church's Program called ‘Eat Healthy and Be Active’.
It might become an annual event but we’ll see how things go as we move along.”
Apia Samoa Central includes 11 wards.
More than 700 members were in attendance, close to 800, he noted.
Athletes young and old were split into five divisions: Primary (boys and girls ages 7-11); Youth (boys andgirls ages 12-17); Young Single Adults (unmarried men and women ages 18-30); Young Couples (marriedmen and women (ages 31-45 years old) and the Veterans division for men and women 46 years of age and up.
“Everyone enjoyed this event, especially the little children and youth; they loved it and want to do it again. It was quite a success and we look forward to another one,” said President Joseph.
“I was very happy to see families coming together to enjoy a fun day at the park, and to enjoy seeing their children taking events, cheering and shouting and even participating in other events.”
Teams competed in five track events, the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m, the 4x400m, and four field events: javelin, discus, shot put and the high jump.
Vailima finished the competition in first place and won the cup, according to information supplied by theorganizing committee.
“This is another door offered by the stake for our members especially the youth to explore new talents and gifts, more opportunities in life through sports. And if there's a desire to keep going, then go ahead and expand and magnify their talents,” President Joseph said.
Participating teams were: Vailima, Malololelei, Motootua 1, Motootua 2, Alamagoto, Vaimoso, Mt Vaea, Pesega 2, Alafua and Moamoa.
President Joseph expressed his thanks to Second Counselor to the Stake President Manu’a AuimatagiLawrence L. Fuimaono and the Athletics Day Committee for organizing the event.
“A special thanks to President Fuimaono and the Athletics Day Committee for organizing this wonderfulevent,” he said.