Fiji Finals set as pathway to Oceania Athletics Championships

The 2026 Fiji Finals will serve as a pathway programme for secondary school athletes selected to travel to Darwin, Australia, from May 18–23 for the Oceania Athletics Championships (OAC).

Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Association (FSSAA) general secretary Biu Colati told SUNsports the Fiji Finals remains a key platform for developing student-athletes.

Colati confirmed the FSSAA would meet with OAC manager Yvonne Mullins and Athletics Fiji to strengthen pathways.

“Beyond the Oceania Championships, we are looking at how we can establish a Melanesian Games for students. Once that is in place, Fiji secondary school students will have an international meet to aim for each year,” he said.

“We have invites to the Australian All Schools Championships. That’s another great competition we are considering, while also working to create our own.”

Colati said organisers were looking forward to this year’s Fiji Finals, which will include para-athletes for the first time.

He said eight new schools have joined the competition, bringing the total to 155 schools, including Moce Secondary School from Lau.

“As of now, we have 155 schools. Out of these, eight are new participants this year, especially from the maritime zone,” he said.

“Already, we have confirmed 2500 athletes.”

Colati said the drop in athlete numbers compared with previous years was due to the introduction of qualifying standards.

“As quality increases, quantity will decrease. That’s what we are seeing.”

He said the higher standard meant smaller schools could not be ruled out.

“Only the best athletes have been selected, and almost every student competing this year has met the qualifying standard.”

Colati also warned that tickets were selling fast and urged the public to purchase early.

“I think our partners from Ticketmax will be out there on Saturday as well,” he said.

“But no one will be able to get any grandstand tickets.

“We expect to sell out the concrete areas before the start of the competition because of strong demand. Concrete and grass tickets are selling fast as well.

“Ticket sales are a concern, and the earlier people purchase their tickets, the better it is for those who want to attend the Fiji Finals.”

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