The Government has withdrawn its recognition and financial support from Lakapi Samoa following what it described as months of consultations over divisions and administrative issues within the national rugby union.
The decision was announced by the Government Press Secretariat on Wednesday night, a day before Lakapi Samoa is scheduled to meet a visiting World Rugby delegation. Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt said in the statement that all government funding and other assistance previously provided to Lakapi Samoa would be withdrawn.
He said the union had been given sufficient time to resolve its internal divisions and address concerns raised by former players and coaches.
The announcement comes a week after the official launch of the rival union, Samoa Rugby Football Union, was postponed days before it was scheduled to take place. In May, representatives of Lakapi Samoa and the rival union met with the Prime Minister.
Following that meeting, Lakapi Samoa chairman Namulauulu Sami Leota warned that establishing a second rugby union could put Samoa’s World Rugby membership at risk.
