Nine more days until the United Arab Emirates meets the World.
Special Olympics Amerika Samoa will join more than 175 countries in Abu Dhabi to compete in the 2019 Special Olympic World Games.
The delegation of 18 departs this morning, Tuesday, via Apia with an overnight rest in Fiji before the 14-hour flight to Abu Dhabi from Sydney, Australia.
Team Amerika Samoa, will be the only Female 7’s Football Team representing the Pacific Region at the World Games while 2015 Gold Medalist Justin Lutu will be returning once again for his 3rd Special Olympics competition joining two other athletes.
This past Sunday the SOAS delegation had a spiritual send-off at the Fagatogo CCCAS, led by Rev Iasepi Ulu while Lt. Governor Lemanu P. Mauga delivered an inspirational message to the athletes.
The service was well attended with support from the Football Federation of American Samoa CEO and Board members, Athletic Association, Special Education staff, former athletes, and family members.
The Assistant Head of Delegation, Mrs Leone Ripley-Ulu will travel with Team Amerika Samoa while the Head of Delegation, Tafa Tua-Tupuola is currently in Abu Dhabi preparing for the team’s arrival.
When they touch down in Abu Dhabi, the delegation will be taken to a host town “Al-Ain”, an oasis village, to help the athletes acclimate to the weather and train.
The football team will compete in Abu Dhabi while athletics will compete in Dubai.
The official opening ceremony is scheduled for March 14 when the World meets “The Determined”, the UAE theme for the World Games.
Good luck Team Amerika Samoa. O tou mama na!
