Keneti Sio
Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio (born Apia, 3 April 1964) is a former Samoan rugby union player who played as centre.
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| Full name | Loau Solamalemalu Keneti Sio | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 3 April 1964 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Apia, Samoa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Minister of Education, Sports and Culture of Samoa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early life
Loau was educated at Faleula Primary School before studying at Samoa College.[1]
Rugby career
His first cap for Samoa was against Tonga, at Apia, on 26 May 1988 and his last international cap was against Tonga, at Moamoa, on 4 June 1994. Loau represented Samoa for a total of 12 years, including at the 1991 and 1995 Rugby World Cup tournaments.[1]
Political career
In March 2016, Loau was appointed as Minister of Education, Sports and Culture of Samoa.[2]
In July 2019, the New Zealand transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard was awarded two gold medals at the 2019 Pacific Games which were held in Samoa. Loau, speaking as the Samoa 2019 chairman, said that the decision to allow Hubbard to compete was "unfair" and added that "We all know that it is not fair to the women lifters but that is a reality we face in the world of sports".[3]
Personal life
Loau is married to Malama Sio and they have four children.
Loau is a member of the Congregational Christian Church and the Catholic Church in Faleula.[1]
Notes
- "Minister of Education, Sports and Culture – Government of Samoa". Retrieved 2019-07-27.
- New Minister has a plan
- "Samoan PM Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi hits out at Laurel Hubbard". Stuff. Retrieved 2019-07-27.