Police have warned that security will be tight at ANZ Stadium, no liquor will be allowed to be carried in as games begin today

The Fiji Sports Council will have zero tolerance for spectators and participants who break the law at the ANZ Stadium during the Coca-Cola Games.

The council will increase its security in and around the premises with the help of the Fiji Police Force.

The Fiji Sports Council operations manager, Eleina McDonald says as a result of incidents that occurred in the past, they have stepped up security.

Police have issued a stern warning that security will be tight at this year’s Coca-Cola Games, which begin today.

Police officers assigned to be at the ground know of their vital role in ensuring students and spectators are able to enjoy the Coca-Cola Games without inci­dent.

They know that it will be vital for them to execute their duties and that the end goal is to make certain students and supporters are able to experience the spirit of the games.

Spectators will be screened by the Police operations team at the ground.

People will not be allowed to carry liquor with them to watch the games.

Security will not allow any offensive weapons or liq­uor beverages into the grounds.

For the three days of competition spectators will be quite fortunate to see the athletic talents of students from the competing secondary schools.

We are blessed with a lot of athletic talent in Fiji. But more importantly, we are blessed with many young men and women who understand the impor­tance of discipline and who display an unrelenting commitment to excellence.

Because talent alone won’t take you anywhere, it is mental toughness, a competitive drive to do well and a dedication to the long hours of training that deter­mine success in competition.

What makes the Coca-Cola Games special is that regardless of the fierce competition on the field, the competitors will come together afterwards as friends and as fellow Fijians. That is what makes great sport­speople, and it is a true hallmark of the Fijian way.

The competition is expected to be strong as all the participating schools have prepared well for the event.

Sporting success requires hard work and pushing oneself outside their comfort zones in order to im­prove.

With that said, however, as support people, we can nurture a love for striving for success and doing eve­rything possible to reach it. We can do this through positive encouragement, praising effort, setting real­istic goals and acknowledging the athlete for reach­ing them – ensure that our athletes are aware that they are experiencing success.

If we achieve such a mindset, then athletes will begin to experience greater enjoyment during their training sessions where they have to push themselves to extend their limits.

With that achieved, athletes will surely excel during competition.

We all want to enjoy watching the 2018 Coca-Cola Games at the ANZ Stadium.

We all want to watch a safe and healthy competition.

We should help the organisers, athletes and Police officers to make the games safe and enjoyable.

Feedback: maikab@fijisun.com.fj