football story on American Samoa prompts donations

A businessman Toronto and football coach in Georgia plan to donate to the local football program after watching "American Samoa: Island Football" last Sunday at 60 CBS 'minutes.

After 60 minutes the Board relied, Samoa News has a number of inquiries from parties wishing to donate to the local soccer program.

The request Mario Elia, a trader in Toronto - was the first e-mails received by the Samoa News, which is connected to the track 60 minutes.

Ryan Davis, a football coach at the Academy in Woodward College Park, Georgia wants to donate.

"After watching the story in 60 minutes, I would like to make a contribution by donating to the development of soccer programs," said Davis in an e-mail.

Another study came from Mike Roberts who lives in a small town two hours west of Chicago, Illinois.

"I [saw] to see a 60 minuntes last night for high school football programs there," he told Samoa News.

Elia wanted the donation to be anonymous, but when he began gathering information, he realized that it would be possible.

When Elia Samoa News contacted with questions during the Martin Luther King holiday - about Samoana Sharks Head Coach Football Pepine Lauvao - took questions in return.

Lauvao was interviewed by 60 minutes and qualify for the part of CBS. Samoans in the NFL, like Troy Steelers «Polamalu, Jonathan Bengals« Fanene and Domata Peko plus local factors such as the Aiulua Tafuna Fanene and Samoana quarterback Tavita Neemia was also featured.

Asked what moved him to donate, Elia said: "You live in a beautiful place, but I understand that two-thirds of your population lives below the poverty line."

"A huge expectations placed on the two canning factories, but has now fallen to a factory," he said in an e-mail. «The negative impact of the loss that is monumental works, I sincerely hope that StarKist is still a strong presence."

In Canada, Elia, a sports fanatic, whose first love is ice hockey, the national sport there - he loves soccer. Explain that the CFL (Canadian Football League) and the NFL, is widely watched by Canadians.

At football American Samoa, says "there is a lack of adequate facilities and well fields for practice."

"However, despite the lack of these things have a spirit that I saw and what I think everyone watching 60 Minutes saw," Elia said. "Yes, the size and strength are important, but as I say," not the size, is the heart .'... that's what came through. "

He told Samoa News "everyone can not make the NFL", well I just wanted to help "in a small way, by providing appropriate helmets for boys who are clearly aspire to greater things in life."

Elia contacted helmet manufacturer in the U.S. to secure the equipment. While not seeking help, Elia says the helmet company and a shipping company has offered breaks.

Has been forced to abandon his anonymity, even Elia says, "I understand the benefit that can come from knowledge that is free."

"It helps children the name behind the donation, and I believe and hope that he can go further and encourage other countries to help," he said.

Elia makes his home in Toronto with his wife and two children Kiri and Cody.

Samoa News is forwarding donations investigations in specific parts request, the Ministry of Education and Sports Department.

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