Don’t ‘slack off’ in training

By Adel Fruean 14 July 2018, 12:00AM

Volleyball players selected to represent Samoa in next month’s Oceania championships in New Caledonia have been warned not to ‘slack off’ from training.

President of the Volleyball Samoa Federation (V.S.F.), Lualepou Tuulua Lauina Aisaka, said Mid-Year President Cup competition currently underway provides an avenue for the scouting of potential players. And failure by the selected players to stick to their training regime could see them lose their spots to players identified during the Mid-Year President Cup.

Speaking at the Samoan Independent Seventh Day Adventist Church (S.I.S.D.A.C.) gym in Fugalei, the president said all teams have been advised of the ultimatum that the V.S.F. has given to players. 

“We did this tournament to also pick up potential players to be representing Samoa in the Oceania this year, New Caledonia in August. These tournaments will help in scouting potential players, due to the fact that there are some mentalities that once a team has been selected they will slack off from trainings because they are already part of the team,” he said.

“If any unforeseen circumstances arise for any of the selected team players then that person scouted from these tournaments will fill in this position. We have already clearly stated this in the beginning of the tournament to all teams partaking. And we assured them that they have to play with a 100 per cent in their performances so that they will be eligible.”

There are 27 teams participating in the tournament including six women’s teams and 21 men’s teams from all around Upolu.

“This tournament was originally called the Mid-Year Cup but for the first time we changed it to Mid-Year President Cup. The meaning behind the name change is that trophies for the tournament will be provided by the president. For me being the current president, it is my way of giving back to the sport and our country.”

According the president 70 per cent of Samoans play rugby while 90 per cent play volleyball.

“As an old saying goes, games are meant to bring together youths and strengthen bonds. This is the only sport that does not have physical contact between teams and players. It is significant for players due to the fact that they play together as a family and so teamwork is very important. We are inviting any teams to register to our ongoing tournaments throughout this year.”

This tournament has been running for two weeks now, but has been set out to run for only three weeks.

By Adel Fruean 14 July 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>