Nadogo set to go
It was a memorable moment for the students of Nadogo Central College in the province of Macuata when the Powerade national torch arrived at the school last Friday.
There was a hive of activities at the school as the students and teachers await the arrival of the torch.
NCC principal, Deepak Prasad, said the students wanted to get a glimpse of the torch, which will arrive in Suva for the opening of the Coca-Cola Games.
The Games is on April 27-29 at the HFC Bank Stadium.
Prasad said hopes are high for a productive Coke Games from their 11-member squad who are aiming to return home with more medals compared to previous years.
The school managed to win one gold, one silver and a bronze during the 2019 edition. Last year, they won three bronze medals.
Prasad said their bronze medallists from the 2022 edition are aiming for a gold medal finish.
Four boys and seven girl’s athletes are part of the squad.
A gold medal prospect is in the 1500 metres and 3000m senior boy’s events, where Year 12 student and deputy head boy, Sisa Saukawa is confident of winning.
“I train six days a week, and practice a lot of road running to improve my fitness and endurance levels,” Saukawa said.
“I am happy with my fitness level.” Despite the school’s low profile at the Games, Saukawa believes he is the ambassador of change.
During the Macuata zonal meet, he won both events, but still believes the pathway to success is tough but not impossible.
Prasad, said travel and food expenses to the Coke Games is always a challenge, however, they were able to arrange funds from the Free Education Grant (FEG). Other fundraising events were also organised and the cost of expenses amounted to about $4000. “The school and its well wishes are behind our athletes for the Games, and I wish to thank CocaCola for reimbursing funds from last year,” he reiterated