Members of the Samoa Table Tennis Federation (S.T.T.F.) have begun preparations for the upcoming 2023 Samoa Games and the Pacific Games with a walkathon and cleanathon on Monday this week.

The table tennis fans and players as well as the S.T.T.F. membership converged on Apia's town area including the waterfront on Monday morning and cleaned the area of litter while also celebrating the final hours of the Mother's Day long weekend.

S.T.T.F. President, Asia Ata Faasavalu Vea said in a press release issued to the Samoa Observer on Tuesday that the walkathon and cleanathon were part of their preparations for the local and international sporting events. 

He said their walkathon started from the waterfront park adjacent to the Central Bank of Samoa (C.B.S.) building to the Malae-fono at Mulinu'u (seawall).

"The idea is to help promote a clean environment as one of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's goals. Beautiful Samoa is promoted by the Samoa Tourism Authority and healthy environment by the Ministry of Health," Asia said. "All the members were wearing white t-shirts reflecting clean and pure Samoa. 

"We urge the community to keep Samoa Clean and stop littering in public areas, the heart of Apia is the place where locals and overseas tourists first explore. The walkathon fundraising initiative is one of the Samoa Table Tennis Activities to fund the Samoa Games starting this week on the 20^th of May 2023 until the 27^th of May 2023."

According to Asia, the S.T.T.F. has been struggling since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in late 2019, resulting in setbacks to their programs coupled with travel restrictions to their training and participation in overseas tournaments to adversely impact their young athletes.

"However, we have been faithful to our training throughout the years and as of now, we are proud to see our team grow with young members who have shown great commitment and potential to win medals. 

"Table Tennis is a very intense game, but it is also an exciting fun sport that can be enjoyed by all ages. The S.T.T.F. will host a competition from the 22^nd until the 24^th of May 2023. Samoa Table Tennis invites teams and communities who are willing to register." 

The 2023 Pacific Games is scheduled to be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands from 19 November to 2 December 2023.