Samoan surfer at the Aganoa break where the SPG surfing competition will take place. Photo / Richard Betham
Complaints of unfair selection for the Surfing team for the South Pacific Games have surprised members of the Samoa Surfriders Association.
Richard Betham, a member of the association confirmed to Newsline that there was no official selection for the South Pacific Games Longboard team.
According to Betham this
is due to the fact that there is a lack of long boarders in Samoa and not for other reasons.
Betham says they have selected the best surfers for the team competing in August.
"The long boarders were judge against the short boarders, they have been judge on ability."
According to him, long boards are not suited to the waves in Samoa and that is the reason there are very few long board competitors.
"There doesn't need to be a separate long board competition," he said in defence of their process.
The complaint by members of the public reflects a recommendation by the Prime Minister Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in the most recent update of SPG sports.
According to Tuilaepa the selections must be based on merit through a fair selection process.
Questions have risen as to whether surfer William (Billy) Peters is eligible to compete for Samoa in the South Pacific Games for surfing.
Enge Taosoga, a staff member of the Samoa Association of Sports and Olympic Committee (SASNOC), told Newsline yesterday to be eligible to compete for Samoa one must have lived in Samoa for a least five years, and hold a Samoan passport.
She did confirm that Mr. Peter's has a Samoan passport.
Betham said: "We have sent in his passport which is a requirement for the team and if it has been accepted by SASNOC then he is eligible."
Ms. Taosoga did mention that after June 11th countries have 25 days to protest against any competitor that they feel unsure about their eligibility.
- NEWSLINE
