The sporting links between Samoa and New Zealand are stronger than ever. 

Worldclass New Zealand athlete Valerie Adams arrives in Samoa this afternoon in her role as Pacific Sports Ambassador. 

The visit is coming soon after Samoa’s triumph at the recent Commonwealth Senior Weightlifting Championships in Malaysia, with Samoa’s Iuniarra Sipaia winning a gold medal.

 “New Zealand warmly congratulates Samoa on its recent gold medal win,” says New Zealand High Commissioner Jackie Frizelle. 

 “The achievement is a great example of the athletic potential in Samoa. New Zealand wants to help grow this through our sporting programmes.” 

 “In New Zealand, we have established programmes promoting physical activity as a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. Getting young people to play sports is one of the best ways to achieve this, and we hope that our sporting programmes will have a positive effect on the health of communities in Samoa. 

The Minister for Education, Sports and Culture, Loau Keneti Sio, thanked New Zealand for its support for the Pacific Sports Programme. 

 “It’s a privilege for Samoa to have an athlete of Valerie Adams’ calibre visiting and spending time fostering our local talent.” 

 “I hope everyone will be inspired by Valerie Adams’ visit to get active – it’s good for our health and good for our communities.”

The public are welcome to observe a coaching clinic at 2.30pm on Friday 4 November at Apia Park for up-and-coming athletes.