The Tailevu Zone officials are hoping to come back bigger and stronger in the FMF Chow Games from November 18-19 at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.

Coach Lasarusa Senibale said they have a better squad this year with more athletes.

“We have been really preparing well for the Chow Games, we have five weeks of training and next week is our final week,” Senibale said.

“In 2014, we came third to Suva One and Suva Two and last year we didn’t win any medal.

“This year we are hoping to change that and work harder to at least win something.

“We will come out stronger this year and we will be a force to be reckoned with. Our main aim is not to actually win but to just improve from last year and win more medals this time.”

The Tailevu athletics team are on a three-year developmental programme, preparing their athletes for the next national Chow Games which is in two years time.

“We are going on a three year programme, this is the first year and we want to continue building and developing the squad,” he said.

“So come the next Chow Games we will give it our all and hopefully win it and we have started off on a good note.

“We have had Albert Miller conducting coaching clinics with us which we have been grateful for and our coaches have learnt a lot from him.

“These coaches will go back to their different areas or events and implement what they have learnt and that will really help us get better.”

The zone has a total of 140 athletes from 18 different schools which is a huge increase from last year.

“Our athletics squad is made up of students from all walks of life and from very far places as well.

Edited by Osea Bola

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