The agreement was announced by Samoa 2019 chief executive Falefata Hele Ei Matatia and Helen Papalii, Samoa Observer head of marketing.

The pair signed the official agreement, which will see the newspaper support the Games.

“On behalf of the Government of Samoa and the Games Organising Committee, I would like to thank the management and staff of Samoa Observer for joining our family of sponsors,” said Falefata.

“Our partnership looks to build excitement as we countdown the days until the Games, and more importantly to provide a platform to increase the coverage of our athletes and sporting bodies preparing for the Games.”

Papalii said the newspaper wanted to offer their support to the Games, which will run from July 7 to 20 in Apia.

"We wanted to continue a partnership that started over 35 years ago when Samoa hosted the 1983 Games,” Papalii said.

"It was when we first hosted it and the Observer went daily specifically for the Games, so to see us host again really is exciting for us.

“As Samoans, we value sports and the power it has to bring people together, and we are all looking forward to getting behind the 2019 Games by providing daily coverage for all the sports.”

The Samoa Observer is the only daily newspaper on the island and is published in both English and Samoan. 

Founded in 1978, the Samoa Observer has received awards for investigative journalism and press freedom.

The sponsorship package from Samoa Observer is claimed to be worth WST $46,000 (£13,000/$17,000/€15,000).

Digicel Samoa, Commercial Bank, Samoa Shipping Corporation and No 1 Currency are among the sponsors secured for the Games to date.

The portfolio also includes McDonald’s, Apia Insurance, Samoa Stationery and Books, the Samoa Ports Authority, the Electric Power Corporation, SkyEye and Accident Compensation Corporation.

Around WST 7 million (£2 million/$2.5 million/€2.3 million) in sponsorship has been raised to support the event.