APIA: 23 Feb 2010: The Samoan rugby Sevens stars may not be stressed about facing the international media and struggling to speak in English in the future.
Team playmaker and former IRB Sevens Player of the Year Uale Mai had to face the TV and Radio interviewers after the Las Vegas emphatic win over New Zealand in the finals. A plight he struggled through although in his good and obligatory manner.
During the function held in honour of the players achievement by the Samoa Rugby Union this week, where part of the victory money was distributed to the players, Union Chairman, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielagoi told the players that they do not have to speak in English. He referred to Chinese and Japanese athletes who always speak in their mother tongue although some understand and are fluent in the Queens language.
The Chairman also suggested that the players should remain free to speak in Samoan during the media interviews and the interpretation to be the lot of the Team Management.
Tuilaepa challenged the team to do well in the upcoming Hong Kong Sevens as financial benefits follow if victory is on their side.