Tailevu South lead the overall medal tally after the first day with 8 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze medals.

The team entered the Central Division FMF Chow Games to improve their performance from last year and so everything is on track.

Coach Lasarusa Senibale said they went home disappointed last year as they failed to win a medal.

“Our first target has been achieved and now we will work on making an impact on the second day.

“We’ve the potential to win as we have some promising athletes and we are also developing our team for the future.

“Like other districts financial difficulties has always been a challenge but that did not hinder the spirits of the Tailevu South team bringing in 140 athletes to the competition.

“We had to struggle as we are not as lucky as other districts like Suva,”Senibale said.

“The parents are just subsistence farmers and villagers. I’m thankful to the teachers who have gone out of their way to look for sponsors.

“During preparations we were only allowed one session at the ANZ Stadium and apart from that we used the grass track down in Nausori. Had we been given the opportunity to train more the ANZ Stadium we would have really been impressive in our sprint events.”

Senibale added: “We have managed to achieve our target and anything beyond that now is just a bonus.”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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