Samoa Prime Minister welcomes Sports for Health Programme

Prime Minister, Susuga Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi welcomed initiative by the New Zealand Rugby Union to launch the Sports for Health Rugby Program.

Samoa along with Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands are stakeholders of the programe.

And retired All Blacks, Samoan born Rodney So'oialo who played 63 tests for the All Blacks and 101 games for the Wellington Hurricanes, is the spokesperson for the New Zealand Rugby Union’s Quick Rip Program.

So’oialo is currently in the country to support an exciting New Zealand funded sports partnership aimed at reducing the effects of non-communicable diseases across the Pacific and developing the sport of rugby according to a release from the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

This is through promoting healthy lifestyles, active living and better nutrition.

The Sports for Health Rugby Programme, which will introduce Pacific children to 'Quick Rip' rugby, will be officially launched at the Rugby World Cup qualifier between Manu Samoa and Fiji at Apia Park tomorrow.

The partnership aims at gaining healthy lifestyles for young people and our children to reduce the effect of non-communicable diseases.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister who is also Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union welcomes the initiative noting its good for rugby and excellent for the a healthy Pacific Region.

"On behalf of our Government, I want to thank the Government of New Zealand and all Samoan rugby players who are in the forefront of pushing this good course for our people."

So’oialo in his remarks thanked the Samoa rugby union and the Government of Samoa for assisting the partnership. 

He said the initiative is getting out there and giving health programmes for our children. 

Samoa is the first of four Pacific countries where New Zealand Rugby will roll the Sports for Health Rugby Program out, with Fiji, Cook Islands and Tonga to follow.

 

Photo supplied by MPMC