Healthy Nanas lead the way
It was as if the script was flipped; the mom’s were the ones playing on the field as their children cheered them on enthusiastically from the sidelines.
On Saturday, Samoa International Cricket Association (S.I.C.A.) hosted the finale for the “Healthy Nana’s” programme at the cricket grounds in Tuanaimato.
Four teams of women aged 45 and older from women’s committees and church ministries, took part in the cricket tournament.
Present for the event was Australian High Commissioner, Sue Langford, who opened the tournament and delivered a few encouraging words to the women before they set off to begin their matches. President of the S.I.C.A. Sala Stella S.V. Tagitau, was ecstatic to see so much enthusiasm from the participants in the programme.
She spoke about their goal to get women ‘of a certain age’ up and active through these types of programmes.
“One of the goals of this project is to make sure we promote healthy lifestyles within the families, as well as, gender balance, gender equality and inclusiveness.
“Everything starts from the home. We felt the mother’s being the leaders and the bosses in the home, they’ll be the best people to introduce good eating habits to the children as well as to the extended family.
“The other hook to the programme is that some of these mother’s are baby sitters and it’s great for them to bring their children as well. So children can enjoy cricket at a young age.”
“This programme is funded by the Government of Australia, because they are big on promoting health and trying to reduce non-communicable diseases.
There’s a fund called Pacific Sports Partnership funding, so that goes to sports. We’re one of the sports that is a recipient of the funding. With every funding, there’s a specific target or objectives you have to meet and report likewise, “ Sala said.
“This is one of the Australian projects and we’re very, very fortunate for to receive the funding and very grateful to the government of Australia.”
Results
1st Vailele EFKS Women's committee
2nd Lalomauga Women's committee
3rd Lepea EFKS Women's committee
4th Falevao Women's committee.