Athletics Fiji is confident of fulfilling its goal that was set four years.

That is to finish in first place at the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa.

Speaking to SUN sports yesterday, Athletics Fiji president Joe Rodan Snr said it had been a progressive year for athletics because they managed to field young talents to represent Fiji at the Pacific Games.

“It has been an amazing year for track and field because we had a lot of achievements and progress made this year,” Rodan said

“One of the major highlights of the year for Athletics Fiji was finishing off at fourth place in the Commonwealth Games earlier this year in the Gold Coast, Australia.

“Also this year we outlined in our strategic plan to get Fiji back into the number one position as far as the Oceania region and the Pacific Games is concerned.

“Most of these young athletes are secondary school students whom we believe can perform up to expectations during the games.

“Another highlight of the year is developing our young athletes and preparing them for the upcoming 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.

“We are counting on our relay teams 4x400m and 4x100m during the games as previously the same team did well during the Commonwealth Games.”

The former national athletics rep and FASANOC president acknowledged the efforts put in by athletes who represented Fiji at various competitions this year.

“I would also like to acknowledge the effort put in by track athlete Sereana Ragatu during the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires who will also be competing during the Pacific Games as well,” Rodan added

“Also the efforts put in by the athletes during the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu. Most of these athletes will feature as well for the games in Samoa.

“And with the  strategic plan set by the Athletics Fiji four years ago, we have been working on it and ever since then we have seen the immense progress made and we do believe that come the Pacific Games next year we will be up there on the top.”

Heleina Young trains at the ANZ Stadium . Photo: Grace Narayan

Challenges

Rodan also highlighted the major challenge faced by the federation was the lack of finance to help in developing the athletes.

“The major issue we faced this year as usual was finance. We lacked capital to generate the work we planned, especially in trying to develop the athlete.

“But, we will take that as a challenge for us.

“We were fortunate through the Government of the day and Fiji Sports Commission supporting us in terms of financially assisting us with the expenses. And not forgetting our local sponsors Shop N Save Supermarket and few others.

Plan for 2019

“For 2019 we are looking at achieving our goal that we set as our strategic plan four years ago.

That is to be at number one position as far as track and field is concerned.

“We are confident and positive that we will achieve that because most of our top ranked athletes will be participating at the Pacific Games with the likes of Miriama Senokonoko who is on scholarship studying at USA and will be available for the games.

“We are excited to have Banuve Tabakaucoro back and must say it’s a blessing to have him back as he will uplift our sprints events, especially for the young athletes.

“So in 2019 we are determined that we will achieve our vision that we set four years ago. Adding on that this Pacific Games will be a platform for the athletes to prove themselves in getting the qualifying time for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

“So we are trying our very best for the 4x400m, 100m, 200m to qualify for the Olympic Games.

“We are looking forward at 2019 with a lot of hope and aspiration from our athletes.”

Edited by Percy Kean

Feedback:  grace.narayan@fijisun.com.fj