APIA (Samoa) - Sky’s the limit for Samoa National Basketball Association (SNBA) with the launch of Women Ballers, a week-long celebration for female players in the country’s bid to further hone talents across all ranks.

In partnership with SASANOC and SSFA, the SNBA put up a women’s program with the ultimate goal of boosting Samoa’s women’s hoops starting with the discovery and development through continuous training under the organization.

In the end, such moves would lead Samoa to produce future standouts not only for their respective ball clubs at home but most importantly for the country when they fly the flag high on international soil sooner than later.

“We envision developing and promoting female participants in basketball. The purpose of this week-long event is to push forward programs involving more females and involve them through an array of activities from officiating to caching and playing for their clubs and associations,” said Sarah-Lee Liliuokalani Malaesilia, SNBA Sports Administrator.

“The event has also served as a platform in showcasing the talents of our women players under right training in a mission to hone them to better cagers in the future. But apart from it, the event was fun and enjoyable.”

Also included in the week-long program are seminars on leadership and awareness of violence against women and children, reiterating basketball’s vision as more than just a game and beyond the court.

Last September, Samoa also teamed up with the National University of Samoa in a program to develop teen players including high school and collegiate student-athletes.

It then followed with a program for kids with a national jamboree for 14 years old and under last October.

FIBA