No More Government Funds for America’s Cup

Saturday 14th June 2014

“The Government should not waste any more money on Team NZ’s bid for the next America’s Cup but fund winning teams like the All Blacks to Samoa and our World Champion Waka Ama teams” says Mana candidate for Mangere James Papali’i.

James Papali’i revealed that the World Champion NZ Masters Waka Ama team is not defending their title at the next World Cup in Rio de Janeiro because of lack of funds. SPARC refused to fund them yet Waka Ama is the fastest growing new aquatic sport in the world.

Nearly 90% of Kiwis surveyed by TV3 Campbell Live show supported John Campbell’s call for the AB’s to visit Samoa.

The long awaited visit to Samoa by the All Blacks will have huge social profit value but also provide future All Blacks with a pool of Samoa’s best players to help the AB brand keep on winning.

Legendary AB Leaauli Michael Jones said that he and many others have been trying since 2003 to get the All Blacks to visit not only to his cultural home but for other AB’s like captain Tama Umaga, Christian Cullen, Bryan Williams, iiga Tuigamala, Olo Brown and present players Julian Savea, Ma’a Nonu to name a few.

Over $40 million of taxpayers’ money was spent on the last Team NZ campaign when they lost after leading 8-1 at one stage. It seems this government is only supporting the rich man’s sport even if they lose but not NZ’s All Black brand in their player’s cultural home and other
world cup holders?

“If the NZ Government is prepared to waste millions on the failed Team NZ project surely supporting Winners the All Blacks to Samoa and World Champion Waka Ama crew is a better investment is it not? “ questioned Samoan Mana candidate Papali’i.

James Papali’i was endorsed on Friday night to be its Mangere Candidate in the coming general election.

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