APIA (Samoa) - On-court success starts with the rigid preparations off it and Samoa is assuring it is covering all bases with a Basketball For Good-focused program during the Physical Activity and Nutrition Expo under the Samoa Ministry of Health.

In partnership with the Samoa National Basketball Association (SNBA), Samoa held its expo in a bid to further educate and provide Samoan athletes with the appropriate tools in preparing their bodies for the tough challenges and rightful triumphs ahead.

It's already the third expo for the Ministry of Health but only the first time including SNBA among the 11 sports bodies in the nation.

Over 500 students including four officials each from respective sports bodies took part in the event, where they have been introduced to the importance of physical activity and nutrition to their overall production in their respective sports disciplines.

These events, headed by the Ministry of Health and Chairman - CEO Leausa Toleafoa Dr. Take Naseri was held at the villages of Sagone District in Savaii and Lalomanu District in Upolu.

"This health program has given us an opportunity to showcase basketball and other sports to areas of the country, where all kids are new in learning basic skills. This also gives them a pathway of sports that they will choose to play in the future," said SNBA Sport Sarah-Lee Malaesilia.

Samoa earlier this month just came off a successful celebration of the 59th Independence Day with a grand nationwide tournament.

These past few months, it also launched Samoa Academy, Women ballers program and, a Samoa Jamboree for the development of its grassroots, elite and national ranks.

All of these are part of their overall bid to perform well in the Polynesia Cup it is hosting to February 2022 and beyond.

FIBA