Inga the Winger inherits father's chiefly matai title [1]
Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 16:33. Updated on Monday, July 20, 2015 - 16:09.
Va‘aiga Tuigamala (37), who made his name as 'Inga the Winger, was bestowed his father's chiefly title Tuigamala, at his village Sa'anapu, Upolu, Samoa in March.
At a traditional ceremony attended by his mother, wife, children and members of his clan Va'ainga Tuigamala drank his kava and accepted the chiefly title of Tuigamala Va'ainga Tuigamala 11. The new chief then prayed for peace and harmony as the strength and the future of his village.
Va'aiga Tuigamala, known in the rugby world as 'Inga the winger made a name for himself as a star winger for the New Zealand All Blacks (1989-93), and later became even more popular when he changed from Rugby Union to Rugby League in 1996 with a million dollar contract with the UK rugby league club, Wigan.
Chief Tuigamala Va'ainga Tuigamala 11 has close links with Tonga, he has relatives here, his wife is a Tongan and he built a gym in Tonga in 1999 for the use of athletes and rugby players. The Chief has been a strong supporter for the development of rugby in the islands and a strong believer in the notion that a combined Pacific Islands team with players from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga could become a world champion.
Meanwhile, the new chief vowed to continue to support the development of Samoan rugby, and to continue to be the business manager for his cousin, heavy weight boxer, David Tua.
According to Samoan political commentators, there is a possibility that the new Chief may get into politics and run as candidate in the 2012 general election. Tuigamala's older brother Fesola'i, who was at his side during the weekend ceremonies, stood for election before at his mother's constituency of Aana Alofi No. 1 and came third in the poll. Talamua.com, 19/03/07.