Samoa Rugby gets 1 million Tala boost

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 01 July 2018, 12:00AM

Samoa Rugby Union has been given a $1 million sponsorship boost with the Grey Investment Group announcing their support. 

The declaration was made by Prime Minister and chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Marina Grey, mother of Lupesina Fred Grey, Director Aggie Grey Investment Ltd during a press conference at the Prime Minister’s office. 

“Today the Grey Investment Group has invested in the S.R.U. similar to assistance provided by Digicel and Blue Sky and in return we should also provide good results,” said Tuilaepa.  

He said exemplary results by the team will also promote the businesses who are investing in the S.R.U.

The G.I.G. was once chaired by Late La’auli Alan Grey, who has been affectionately called “father of Samoan rugby”, given his influence in the game in Samoa and the Pacific region.

“I want to thank the Late La’auli for his continued assistance. Many of our people are not aware the finances required to carry on one’s rugby team. I am not aware whether we have received our million tala assistance but that will do for now. However, more can come later,” added the PM.  

The S.R.U. chairman presented a trophy and jerseys to the G.I.G directors. 

“It’s not much but it is all that a union with limited finances can afford,” he said and commended the Grey family for their assistance over the years in the name of rugby. 

 Mrs Grey acknowledged the assistance provided by her son, Lupesina Fred Grey, Director Aggie Grey Investment Ltd.

“I am thankful that Fred heeded the request by the Samoa Rugby Union for assistance. I told Fred if you love your dad, keep in mind that the S.R.U. is your father’s heart. Despite everything, your father has been there since the beginning of the S.R.U. when they first started with only four employees with the lack of finances, but your father was there. In the beginning of the S.R.U. there was Pili Opo who had passed away, Uaea Apelu, Joe Annandale and was chaired by Alan Grey in a small office. When the team would travel overseas for their games, they were dressed in worn out rugby clothes, due to the lack of finances the team encountered when they first started. One of the common things people said to the players, where is Samoa located on the map, fast forward now, we know where Samoa is thanks to the team.”

To the Prime Minister, Mrs Grey said: “From the bottom of my heart thanks you Tuilaepa, not only as chairman of the union but also thank you for assistance in our family.”

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 01 July 2018, 12:00AM
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