The President of the American Samoa Handball Association Carl Sagapolutele had good news to report on his return from the 36th Congress of the International Handball Federation in Turkey.
Floor was part of the delegation from Oceania at the Congress along with Australia, Cook islands, Fiji, Guam, New Caledonia, Northern Marianas, PNG and Tonga.
At the meeting, Fiji was recognized as a full member giving Oceania 19 full members.
Floor, who’s treasurer of Oceania Handball said this was an exciting election and our focus was on election officials who are developing handball throughout Oceania.
The Oceania delegation voted overwhelming for Raquel Pedercini of the Canada Handball Association to be president of the Development Committee and she won by nine votes.
Floor said it was a good showing of unity for Oceania to back the new president and he’s sure their votes will b rewarded.
At the Congress Sagapolutele also received offers of assistance for the American Samoa Under 17 Womens Beach Handball team, in its preparations for the Youth Olympic Games next October in Buenos Aires.
Floor said a coach will come to American Samoa for a full month to prepare our team in March then again in June
The coaching staff will also be sent for three days to a high level program to observe their training methods.
USA Beach Handball has also extended an invitation for the team to train in Los Angeles with their national team for July and the President of Pan America Handball, Mario Moccia, also extended a helping hand.
He says, “American Samoa has a home in Pan America.”
