Grammar coach gracious in defeat
Suva Grammar School athletics head coach Jone Delai is pleased with the performance of his athletes at the CocaCola Games.
Grammar who won the boy’s title last year, finished third on the medal tally behind Ratu Kadavulevu School and winners Marist Brothers High School. In the girl’s competition Grammar came second behind Adi Cakobau School.
Speaking to SUNsport, Delai said despite losing the boy’s title he was glad that Grammar had won the senior boy’s 100 metres final. Semesa Caginivalu took gold after clocking 10.9 seconds.
“It’s been a long time coming since 2012 was the last time we won with Waisale Ledua,” Delai, the former Pacific sprint king said. “We did it again after 11 years so I’m honoured to coach a bunch of good athletes who have great talents.”
Caginivalu was part of Grammar’s five-year development programme that was implemented by Delai.
“We look at people with real speed. I enrolled him (Caginivalu) into Grammar through one of the parents who mentioned that Mesa was smart and had a good talent. “I took him in and in his first year at the Coke Games he was placed 19th in the 100m but five years later here we are.”
Delai admitted that Grammar athletes only started training in the second week of school. “I take my hat off to the athletes for such a wonderful performance. “Especially our girls we came second last year with four gold medals but we came back this year with eight gold and we nearly toppled the giants (ACS),” he added.
Way forward
Meanwhile, Coca-Cola marketing manager Lawrence Tikaram said that the 40th Games was a success due to the spirit shown by the athletes and the large crowd in attendance.
This is despite another national sporting event being held in the Lautoka.
“We can only create the platform, we look at what’s next for the athlete’s future if it’s going to be in rugby, basketball or netball but the end of the day Fiji will win,” he said.
Tikaram highlighted the need to for more quality records to set the bar for international meets and also ensure that Team Fiji is able to perform at international level.