(APIA) Samoa) - Samoa Basketball took a few steps forward launching the historic Samoa National Basketball Federation Professional League to promote the game and improve the competition level in-country.

Determined to improve the country's program from all fronts, the Samoa National Basketball Federation will usher in a new league featuring four conferences with hopes of finding future national team standouts and possible country representatives in different international leagues.

"We are teamwork. We are family. We are basketball," that is the slogan of the SNBA Professional League according to League Operations Head, Steven Schuster.

"We are looking at boosting local talents and at the same time, create a pathway for local players as they strive to become best players here or even abroad," said Schuster stated.

The professional league will have the four men's and women's squads in four conferences namely Eastern, Central, Pasefika (Pacific), and Western Conference.

The league will run for eight weeks for now with grand plans of expanding to more places and clubs in the future.

"We're excited but at the same time, nervous, for it will be a different territory for us. It's history in the making," quipped Schuster.

Samoa's pro league launch is just an addition to its continuous innovations in all levels of its programs highlighted by a Her World Her Rules (HWHR) ) girls basketball camp for ages 6-15 years old launched recently.

It also has established programs in grassroots and school programs, from kids to college students, under the Samoa Basketball Academy.

But more than that, Samoa is hoping to gain more support to continue its program in the long run.

"We are looking at adding more teams in the future but the main aim right now is to sell the idea to the business community to attract sponsors," Schuster stated

"Hopefully, this part of local basketball history for a pro league will get enough exposure for our players and help grow the game of basketball, " he added.

FIBA