10 Feb 2016

School sports resume in American Samoa

9:07 am on 10 February 2016

An angry reaction in American Samoa to the banning of all sports events has prompted the Education Department to reverse its decision, with events resuming today.

The Director of Education, Vaitinasa Dr Salu Hunkin Finau, met with school principals, parents, coaches and officials of the American Samoa High School Athletic Association, after a threat of protest.

The decision was made after the department found unbudgeted costs related to sports officials, coaches and bus drivers.

A demonstration had been planned outside the education department office in Utulei to protest the cancellation.

But officials emerged from the meeting to announce the ban had been lifted.