Togiola to the rescue - Mosooi cash prizes awarded
The Governor’s Office has saved the territory from a lot of heat that could have escalated if the ASG hadn’t stepped in to cover an embarrassing financial mishap during this year’s Mosooi Rugby Tournament.
Thanks to Togiola, by Friday, October 26, all cash payments for the visiting teams from Samoa, as well as the trio of local teams that participated in this year’s Mosooi Rugby Tournament were issued by the Governor’s Office.
Each of the teams signed paperwork to acknowledge receipt of the cash and assigned the American Samoa Government the power to sue or collect payments from the sponsors and organizers of the rugby tournament.
The payments, totaling $9,000 were made after some of the teams complained that they had not received the cash prizes as promised by the event organizers.
Prior to their departure, a total of $6,500 was split amongst the three wining teams from neighboring Samoa - Championship Cup winners Vailele ($3000), Magiagi ($1500) and Nofoalii ($2000), while $2,500 was disbursed to three local teams: Pago Pago ($1000), Fagatogo ($1000), and Lalomalava ($500).
The Rugby Tournament, a big attraction for the annual Mosooi festivities, was organized by the Fagatogo Blues and included the participation of 18 teams that were each required to pay a mandatory registration fee of $400.
The fiasco involving the prize money is unclear but Fagatogo Blues President Leroy Lutu maintains that the sponsor, South Seas Distribution is responsible for prizes. But the Corona Beer Company says otherwise, claiming that they discontinued sponsorship of the tournament a month before Mosooi week.
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