FIJI -- Basketball Fiji (BF) partnered with Damodar Group to hold a basketball clinic in Damodar City mall to promote healthy living, daily exercise, and awareness on Non-Communicable disease's (NCD).

BF also organized a U18 Mixed 3x3 tournament for the IBF Youth Leadership Cup that will qualify the winners to a tournament in an international tournament in Bali, Indonesia.

"The team at Damodar Group had initiated the idea of hosting an event at their mall during the holidays to promote Damodar City Mall as the safest shopping center through youth participation," said BF Chief Operating Officer Lai Puamau

"The project is connected with Basketball Fiji's slogan "It's more than just Basketball" and IBF's Basketball For Good campaign," he added.

The clinic invited participants aged 6-14 years old that also coincided with the National Secondary Schools basketball championship at the Ed's Court in Raiwaqa.

"The free clinic provided an excellent platform to introduce the game of basketball in a prime social area (Damodar City Car Park) and promote active participation through the Australian Aid funded Hoops For Health program," said Puamau.

FIBA Basketball for Good Manager, Peter Topp commended BF's strategic planning of events.

"To run three events while also coinciding with the National Secondary Schools championship is a testament to the commitment and smart planning of Basketball Fiji," said LaFleur.

"The atmosphere was surely electric and hopefully more kids will pick up basketball in Damodar," she added.

Basketball Fiji plans to continue to hold free basketball clinics and looks forward to future partnerships similar to the Damodar group.

"Based on the success of the program, Basketball Fiji welcomes innovative partnerships similar to the one with Damodar Group. We look forward to working with Damodar Group on identifying dates on the calendar where we can jointly promote youth participation," said Puamau.

"In the meantime, Basketball Fiji will be running 10 weeks of Bula Hoops Program for children between the ages of 6 to 14 years old beginning on the 11 September 2018," he added.