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Pago Pago, American Samoa— Boxer Tupuola Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali is currently considering whether to become a full-time professional boxer or continue to compete as an amateur in the hope of winning an Olympic medal.
“What’s next? I’ll go home and rest for two weeks, then go back to work. Maybe think about whether to continue boxing as an amateur or become a full-time professional boxer,” he said.
“It was a good experience in Paris, considering what happened. It wasn’t the best experience, but you have to thank God for every opportunity, even if it wasn’t what we thought it would be, but it was God’s plan.”
Ataud lost his first match just days after his coach died in Paris.
“That experience was obviously not the best for reasons including that our national boxing coach died the day before my fight and I arrived in Paris too late, four days before my first fight, which was not enough time for my body to adjust to Paris time, which is 11 hours behind Samoa,” he said.
“I haven’t adjusted to the time zone yet and I’m having a lot of jet lag. But I’m not going to use that as an excuse, I just want to make sure you understand what I’m going through.”
“My dad wanted me to quit and the Samoan management would understand if I refused to play, but I knew coach Lionel wanted me to continue playing and I didn’t want Samoa to see me quit.
The boxer is now back in Australia, considering his next move, but if he goes the professional route he may never be able to represent Samoa at the Pacific Games or Olympics.
Staying in the amateur ranks could become a financial hurdle for him, and if he turns pro after the next Olympics, he will be past his prime in boxing.
(Samoa Observer)
Strengthening Fiji’s borders
Fiji’s internal affairs minister says the recent seizure of 14.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, which was shipped from Canada to Australia via Fiji, shows that Fiji needs to strengthen its border controls.
A Canadian citizen has been arrested with drugs hidden in plastic packaging and wrapped in towels soaked in vinegar and coffee beans, Australian Federal Police say.
According to Fiji Live, Pio Tikoduadua said that although Fiji is only a transit point for this epidemic, it still highlights the need for the country to strengthen border protection.
He said the lengths criminals go to to hide drugs highlighted the stringency of border controls and the cooperation between international border authorities.
(Pacific Radio New Zealand)
Palau Solar Project
Palau President Soulanger Whipps said the government was working to manage the influx of solar power.
The president asked neighboring countries to impose a moratorium on new solar projects, The Island Times reported.
President Whipps told a news conference that they had met with Japan, Taiwan and Australia “to ask them to temporarily stop any other new solar projects because if we add new solar projects to the grid now, we will not be able to handle it”.
Whipps said Palau faces challenges integrating renewable energy into its grid due to a lack of adequate battery storage.
Australia has pledged $5 million to help build battery production capacity.
The president said Palau’s electricity consumption has fallen despite earlier predictions that energy demand would increase; the island is producing more solar energy than it can consume.
(Pacific Radio New Zealand)
Papua New Guinea Economy
Papua New Guinea’s South Pacific Bank said the so-called “Black Wednesday” unrest in Port Moresby in January had severely impacted business confidence this year.
The central bank said in its Pacific Quarterly Economic and Markets Pulse report for the June 2024 quarter that economic activity had been subdued as of the end of the second quarter.
The central bank said employment declined in the Southern and Island regions and the National Capital Region, while it increased in the Mamos region and the Highlands, The Post and Courier reported.
Meanwhile, the bank said the Porgera mine in Enga province might not achieve its full production target this quarter due to a landslide at Mulitaka.
(Pacific Radio New Zealand)
Samoa Firearms Amnesty
Samoa’s prime minister and police hope people will take full advantage of the country’s gun amnesty policy.
The gun amnesty scheme was launched on August 1 to improve public safety and enhance compliance with gun handling ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
From August 1 to September 30, people can return illegal guns and ammunition without fear of being charged.
At the launch of the campaign, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of public safety and removing illegal firearms and ammunition from the streets.
“Samoa will host CHOGM this October and as the new Chair, the safety of all world leaders attending CHOGM is of paramount importance,” said Mata’afa.
(Pacific Radio New Zealand)
Maori Language Week
The Cook Islands community in New Zealand is leading the “Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Airani – Cook Islands Māori Language Week”, which runs until 10 August.
This year’s theme is “Atui’ia au ki vaka o toku matakeinanga,” or “the canoe that connects me to my tribe.”
UNESCO reports that Kuki’ailani, the Maori language, is one of the endangered languages featured in the Pacific Languages Week series of events supported by the Ministry of Pacific Peoples.
Minister for Pacific Peoples Geraldine Clifford Lidstone said this week was an opportunity for everyone to support their community and strengthen their own language skills by learning a phrase or two.
(Pacific Radio New Zealand)
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