Samoan weightlifters are hoping to get more lifters qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris this year as they head to the Oceania qualifiers in New Zealand next week.

The team's preparation has been boosted with NBS Bank coming on board as a naming rights sponsor.

The bank officially announced its sponsorship of the Samoan weightlifting team last week. In return, the team has promised good results from the lifters as they have prepared long and hard.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, Coach, Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork said the team's preparations have been overwhelming and the goal is to bring home gold from the championship.

"Preparations have been hard and committed to one focus, and that is to win gold and qualify for Paris 2024.  Our team has been in training camp throughout the Christmas holidays putting in the hard yards," he said.

"The main purpose of these Championships is to try and qualify more athletes for Paris 2024.  We also using it to select the best team for the upcoming Commonwealth Championships in August 2024.

"This new venture with NBS Bank as the naming sponsor has been a great boost to assist our preparations. The support from the Government and SASNOC has been fantastic.  This has encouraged us to work even  harder."

The Samoa Weightlifting Team departs for Auckland next week Tuesday on 20 February for the Oceania Youth, Junior and Senior Championships 2024, and backs up as the Olympic Qualifiers for Paris 2024. 

The Samoan team will be taking 12 athletes and there will be 21 countries at the Championships.