RSMS grooms homegrown athletes ahead of Zone One meet

Ratu Sukuna Memorial School in Nabua is banking on its own talent as it builds towards hosting this year’s Zone One Athletics Competition.

More than 200 athletes participated in the inter-house competition at the HFC Bank Stadium, Suva.

Vice principal Kuini Lebobo Vitukawalu said the school’s inter-house meet, dubbed the Battle of the Mountains, is designed to identify and develop athletes from within its roll of more than 900 students.

“We develop our own,” she said. “Whatever talent we have in the school, we train and prepare them.”

Field events were completed earlier in the week to cater for the large number of participants.

The four houses — Korobasaga, Uluiqalau, Setuva and Naliquvadra — are named after Fiji’s highest peaks. Each house has around 270 students guided by 16 teachers.

Vitukawalu said the school does not recruit athletes from outside but instead focuses on nurturing raw talent and sharpening skills in both track and field. She acknowledged the commitment of teachers, including experienced coaches, who continue to guide the athletes.

After finishing fourth in the girls’ division last year, the school aims to improve its standing in the Coca-Cola Games this year.

“This year, we want to move one notch higher, just to improve on our standing from last year,” she said.

She also thanked parents and stakeholders for organising lunches and supporting the students, helping ensure a spirited and injury-free competition.