Holy Cross Brings 73 Athletes for Cokes
Taveuni-based Holy Cross College (HCC) has brought 73 athletes to participate in next week’s Coca-Cola Games at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. This is the largest number the school has ever fielded for the Games as confirmed by school’s athletics team coordinator Ilisoni Racumu.
He said 34 of the 73 students are first time travellers to Viti Levu. The team arrived on Thursday night and is accommodated at Sacred Heart College in Nasese.
Racumu indicated that they came in a week earlier to familiarise their athletes with the tracks and the environment.
“We put our shoes in the athletes’ shoes so that they could come, climatise and feel the atmosphere. The atmosphere of the Coca-Cola Games is different,” Racumu said.
“We want them to look at other schools at the stadium, to run, jump and throw before the Games and to gain more confidence to compete. “That’s why we brought them early especially the 34 athletes who have stepped into Suva for the first time. “We are trying to convert their fears to confidence,” he added.
The HCC girls were sixth in last year’s Coke Games winning three gold and three silver medals, while the boys won one gold medal.
“Only God knows that all schools have prepared. “HCC is also prepared– mentally, physically and spiritually. The athletes are reminded that we are named after the Cross and to stamp their mark at the Coca-Cola Games. “We are not only representing the school but the parish, priests, nuns, brothers, parents and teachers association (PTA) and the old scholars.” Racumu also acknowledged the support of HCC ex-scholars in Suva and the PTA.
He urged them to come out in numbers and to wear green to support the athletes next week.
Meanwhile, HCC won the Coke Games overall girl’s title in 1999 and 2000.
Tickets
Grandstand tickets will be available for pre-sale from Fiji Secondary Schools’ Athletics Association (FSSAA) office, located opposite Peninsula Hotel, Suva.
Grandstand tickets are sold as a three-day package. No individual day-sale.
The Fiji Sports Council will sell Coca-Cola Games tickets for concrete and grass embankments on game days only, from Thursday to Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium gates.