Samoa's five Commonwealth Games medallists have been rewarded with a cash bonus from the government.
Gold medallists Feagaiga Stowers and Sanele Mao received over $US7,000 each, while silver medallists Don Opeloge, Lauititi Lui and Ato Plodzicki Faoagali were awarded $US1,500 each for their efforts.
Weightlifting coach Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, SASNOC CEO Tuala Matthew Vaea, Salimu Lui (Lauititi Lui’s father), Feagaiga Stowers, Sanele Mao and Don Opeloge. Photo: Supplied/Samoa Government
It marked a change in government policy after Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi previously said only gold medal winners were deserving of financial rewards.
Weightlifting coach Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, who also picked up $US4,000 after his team returned home with four medals, said it was welcome recognition for the athletes.
"We weren't sure exactly what was going to happen, whether we were going to get any rewards for the medals, but on the night we were expecting a bit for the gold medals in our rewards and the Prime Minister came out and also announced that they [the government] have decided unanimously that they will give the money for the silver medallists so we're very thankful," Tuaopepe said.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi delivered the keynote address. Photo: Supplied/Samoa Government
However Wallwork said the money received by Stowers and Mao was less than half the figure received by Samoa's three gold medal winning lifters from the Delhi Commonwealth Games, eight years ago.
"It is a lot different from what we received in 2010, which was about $50,000 Tala [$US20,000], but times change and the government has made a new policy and we're thankful that at least the athletes got something out of it," he said.
Samoa's Jerry Wallwork at the Commonwealth Games Photo: RNZ Pacific/Vinnie Wylie
Despite the government recognising Samoa's three silver medallists on the Gold Coast, Wallwork said it was a shame Ele Opeloge's historic 2008 Olympic silver medal continued to be overlooked.
"It has been a very sensitive issue. I've been very strong standing for it.
"I think a silver medallist at the Olympic Games is much much higher than a gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games but what happened last year is different from this year," he said.
"I just hope that what's happening now will set a precedent for the next Olympic Games that hopefully the government now will reconsider any medal from the Olympic Games deserves a reward."
Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi, Minister of Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio, and Samoa's first Olympic medalist, Ele Opeloge. Photo: Tipi Autagavaia