24 Aug 2007

Samoa PM encourages people to proffer warm welcome to Games athletes

10:00 am on 24 August 2007

Samoa's Prime Minister has called on his people to show the true Samoan way of hosting guests attending the 13th South Pacific Games which begin on Saturday.

In a public address last evening after a special church service for the athletes, Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi urged his people not to commit crimes such as stealing or pushing the sale of illegal drugs.

He also thanked the whole nation for their support and cooperation with the government in hosting the games.

Most of the athletes and media representatives from the 22 countries and territories competing at the games will arrive tonight and tomorrow before the opening.