One of the main criticisms about ASG’s $100,000 donation to the Manu Samoa Rugby Team is that this amount had been promised to the American Samoa National Olympic Committee for Team American Samoa to the Pacific Games .
However only $20,000 was actually given to the team.
Many have asked how Governor Lolo could give such a large amount of money to a foreign rugby team and not take care of its own sports men and women.
Governor Lolo Moliga in response to KHJ News requests for a reaction to the complaints explained that when ASG’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget was compiled, he assigned then Director for Youth and Women Affairs Jonathan Fanene and Deputy Director Pa’u Roy Ausage to find out from the American Samoa National Olympic Committee its financial plan for the Pacific Games and what assistance ASG could provide.
According to the governor the report he received was that ASNOC could not receive direct financial assistance from the government because of potential political influence in sports.
Lolo said he had planned to give $100,000 from the Special Programs budget for preparations for the Pacific Games. And he pointed out that ASG built offices for ASNOC and housing them rent free at the Stadium.
When he learned of the Lt Governor’s pledge of $100,000, he explained what the ASNOC officials had said earlier about not being able to receive direct financial assistance from the government.
He informed Lemanu and Director of Port Administration to prepare the Manu’atele to transport the team to Samoa for the games. And that was the government’s contribution for the Team.
The governor indicated that when ASNOC submitted its list of people going to the Games, there were more than 300 names. And he advised that they reduce the number to ease up on costs.
Governor Lolo said ASNOC itself is at fault for not being transparent with its finances and not making preparations all these four years for the Pacific Games.
He also questioned why if the organization was hard up for money did its officials stay at a nearly $ST500 a night hotel in Apia for the Games.
KHJ News understands that the ASNOC group , along with ASG officials that they funded to be at the Games , and Miss American Samoa stayed at the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel.
KHJ News asked how the $20,000 donation was made to ASNOC , considering the explanation about not mixing sports and politics.
According to the governor, the contribution was not listed as direct financial assistance but some other category that ASNOC used, but which he doesn’t have details of.
