"Hoops for Health" here
It’s more than just basketball, is the motto of a new programme called Hoops for Health which was launched by Basketball Fiji in partnership with the Australian Sports Commission, Basketball Australia and FIBA Oceania yesterday.
The programme is to highlighting the importance of fighting and reducing non-communicable diseases (NCD) through basketball as well as sports generally.
As part of the programme, Basketball Fiji has hired 15 Hoops for Health Coaches from Suva, Nadi and Lautoka who will teach basketball and spread health messages to primary and secondary schools.
Opening the launch yesterday was Basketball Fiji president Major-General Ioane Naivalurua said there was more to sports than just playing it. “This is a historical milestone,” Naivalurua said.
“It's more than just basketball. This is what we have coined as our motto because basketball is more than just winning on the court and sweating it out."
“We (Basketball Fiji) are here to commit to something that is good and also involves all the aspects of our life which is health.”
The programme was launched in front of members of the Ministry of Health, Fiji Sports Commission and students from primary and secondary schools involved in the programme at the My Suva Pinnic Park, Nasese.
The chief guest, Australian High Commission’s acting deputy Head of Mission, Karinda D’aloisio expressed the importance of such a programme. “There is a huge NCD crisis not only across the Pacific, but also here in Fiji. Research suggests that this crisis will only become worse unless we take action now and that’s why this initiative of Basketball Fiji called Hoops for Health is so important.” she said.
“The aim of this programme is to improve health related behaviours and contribute to a reduction of risk to NCDs through physical activity.”
There are now 17 coaches who are going to be working with young people across Fiji and introducing them to basketball and healthy living.
Source: Fiji Sun, Justine Mannan, July 17 <http://www.fijisun.com.fj/2014/07/17/%E2%80%98hoops-for-health%E2%80%99-here/>
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