Samoa was confirmed to host the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games at the Commonwealth Games General Assembly in Gambia late November 2008.

Chief Executive Officer of SSFA, Dr. Siaosi G. Salesulu (Rev) was part of the delegation that went to Gambia to represent the Government of Samoa and support the Samoa National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) in their bid, as the entity managing the facilities & venues that the Commonwealth Youth Games will utilise in 2015.

Click here to listen to an Audio interview with Dr. Siaosi G. Salesulu & Radio Australia

Source: Commonwealth Games Federation Website; www.thecgf.com
(Monday November 24, 2008)

The island nation, Samoa has secured the rights to host the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games.

The Commonwealth Games Federation’s 71 member nations and territories awarded the Games to Samoa at its recent General
Assembly held in The Gambia.

In announcing the decision, CGF President, Mike Fennell, said he was delighted to see the Youth Games heading to the small nation of around
180,000 people.

“It is an important part of our ethos that all member countries and territories have the opportunity of hosting events,” Mr Fennell said. “Not everyone can host the Commonwealth Games, but we firmly believe that smaller nations should look to host our Youth Games.”

After Edinburgh in Scotland (2000), Bendigo in Australia (2004) and Pune in India (2008) hosted the first three editions of the Commonwealth Youth Games, the next two editions will be held in the Isle of Man in 2011 and now Samoa in 2015.

Samoa recently its built a reputation within the Oceania region for hosting major international and regional events, including the South Pacific
Games and IWF Weightlifting World Cup in 2007 and the Oceania Olympic Boxing Qualification tournament and Oceania qualification tournament for the IRB Sevens World Cup earlier this year.

Samoa’s Commonwealth Games Association President, Vaeolenofoafia Vui Tapasu Leung Wai, was delighted that his country would host the fifth edition of the Youth Games.

“The success of the South Pacific Games, in particular, has given my country great confidence and a determination to bid for other major international and regional events,” Vaeolenofoafia said.

“The small and developing nature of our national economy and infrastructure simply cannot support such a large-scale international event as the Commonwealth Games.

“However, when combining Samoa’s sporting infrastructure, its demonstrated organisational capabilities, its friendly culture, and its political
stability, Samoa can host an exceptionally good Commonwealth Youth Games in 2015.

“Like most developing nations, Samoa has a young population. Having an event such as the CYG 2015 will be an attractive event for the youth of Samoa and will provide tremendous encouragement for its young people to participate in sports.”

The Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, is confident the Games will be a success.

“Samoa will provide the CGF with a safe, capable and friendly pair of hands to ensure the continuing success of the Commonwealth Youth Games,” Prime Minister Tuilaepa said.

The Games will be based in Apia, the Government and commercial capital of Samoa, from September 14 to 20, 2015.

The sports to be contested include athletics, boxing, lawn bowls, squash, swimming, tennis, weightlifting, as well as the team sport, rugby 7s.

Because of the hosting of the South Pacific Games, all venues are already built and operating, clustered in two precincts.

The first is Apia Park, to be home to the ceremonies, athletics, rugby 7s and tennis.

The second precinct is the Faleata Sports Complex, new for the South Pacific Games, which will host boxing, swimming, squash, weightlifting
and lawn bowls.

All athletes and team officials will be accommodated in a single Athletes’ Village with a maximum 15 minute transport time to the venues.

Samoa also has sufficient hotels and tourism infrastructure to meet the broader needs of the Commonwealth Games family.

It is anticipated that around 1000 athletes will participate in the Games.