Pandemic, cyclones fuel athletes’ burning desire
THE COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters that struck Fiji recently were fuel to the burning desire to bring back the annual Coca-Cola Games, said Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Association president Marika Uluinaceva.
He made the comment during the launch of the games’ Powerade National Torch Relay at the Coca-Cola Amatil Fiji Ltd headquarters at Laucala Beach in Suva yesterday.
“Tell everybody that we are back,” Uluinaceva said.
“Despite all the calamities we faced, we say we are back because you have been with us and allowed our youths to wade through floods and withstood the rain and the cyclones,” Uluinaceva said
He added the pandemic and the natural disasters has not dampened the spirit of the games.
“We have 127 schools confirmed as we wait for confirmation from the Maritine Zone which could see an additional 10 schools,” he said.
“The numbers are almost the same as past years and we expect about 2500 students competing this year.
“This is a good sign because generally the pandemic and the natural disasters did not have any effect on the staging of the games.
“The following and the anticipation still remain. The corporate support has been overwhelming and the expectation from the schools, parents, supports, those from abroad and athletes had all indicated the need to continue running the annual competition.
“I thank Government, members of the public, schools and athletes for their co-operation,” he said.
The 2021 Cola-Cola Games will be held from April 22-24 at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.