Fve local high school football players (all Seniors) have been invited to play in the 2015 5th Annual Polynesian All-American Bowl (PAAB) in Oceanside, California next month, January 8. They will be going after players and their families and coaches have been doing fundraising efforts on their own, as well as now receiving help from the Dept. of Youth and Women’s Affairs and from the Governor and Lt. Governor.

The five players are Elu Aydon (Leone High School), Eperone Moananu (Tafuna High School), Aukuso Tua (Tafuna High School), Logan Tago (Samoana High School) and Amosa Sakaria (Tafuna High School).

“When this (the invitation) was brought to our attention (Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs-DYWA), we took it to our Director, Jonathan Fanene several weeks ago, who immediately looked at the situation and talked with the kids, coaches and parents to find out what this was all about,” said the Department of Youth and Women’s Affairs Sports Commissioner/ASG Commissioner Ethan Lake.

“We wanted to see what we could do to assist them — for them to be able play in this unique Annual All-Polynesian Bowl game in California. After we had a meeting with the players and their parents to see what we could to help out, we then talked to Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga and his office. The governor has been very supportive of our youth and our athletes in sports,” he said.

Lake said that the governor worked out something to give to the athletes.

“The governor has presented the players a little gift to help out with their trip to California. These boys will not just be going there for themselves, but they will be representing America Samoa as ambassadors of the territory. We want to thank Governor Lolo as well as the DYWA Director Jonathan Fanene and to all of those who helped make this possible for these young football players,” said Lake.

The DYWA sports commissioner also stated that the players and their families have been doing fundraising and other things on their own to help fund their trip to California, along with some of the football coaches, who have also been working on raising funds for the trip.

“If there is anyone out there who would like to assist the players or coaches for this trip in any way that they can, please call the DYWA office at 633-2385. We definitely want these players to make this trip to California. We are doing all that we can for them to make it happen,” he said.

The parents of the players thanked the Governor and Lt. Governor and the DYWA for their assistance with their children. The players also thanked everyone for the assistance and thanked the Polynesian Bowl for the invitation. They said that they will do their very best while in California and asked for everyone’s prayers and thoughts.

The governor was further impressed with the way the athletes and their parents worked so hard to raise the money on their own and that was one of the reasons he decided to help them out.  He stated that he knows that they will represent American Samoa very well next month.

According to the Oceanside website, www.visitoceanside.org concerning PAAB, there will be student athletes from 13 different states and the territory of American Samoa— who will be showcasing their skills and fellowshiping with Polynesian brothers, while interacting with some of Polynesia’s legends from the National Football League and the Canadian Football League.

Honorary coaches for the 2015 PAAB are Kevin Mawae, Luther Elliss, Pisa Tinoisamoa and Joe Paopao.