Schools athletic meet launched, all set to go

The Tuckers Ice Cream Pri­mary Schools athletics competition was officially launched in Suva yesterday. This year's competition prom­ises to be the biggest, with thou­sands of children ready to show­case their talent at the HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, from November 27-28.

Fiji Primary Schools Athletics Association president Patrick Bower confirmed that 26 districts would be represented, including an outside island nation of Wallis and Futuna.

There are over 2388 athletes set to compete in Suva along with 604 officials .

"Athletics is the foundation for so many future sporting careers, whether it's rugby, soccer, swim­ming or any other sport," Bower said.

"This year, fairness and proper preparation have been our top priorities." Bower said every athlete has been fully registered and verified, with all birth certificates and en­tries checked to ensure absolute transparency and fair play.

"We've also invested heavily in training our officials, even send­ing expert trainers to the districts to raise standards and avoid rule misunderstandings on the day."

He inidcated that they've en­couraged managers to keep their athletes disciplined- no kava in camp- and strict punctuality for all events. When it's time to report to the track, they must be ready.

Fiji Sports Council chief executive officer Ratu Gilbert Vakalal­abure said they're introducing a new initiative to improve the management of major sporting events, and this year's competi­tion would serve as a trial.

"We are working with a global tribal risk management company to help us find the best way to fa­cilitate these improvements. "In past events, we've experi­enced challenges with crowd con­trol and long queues.

"This new system is designed to streamline ticketing, improve safety, and meet the expectations of our sponsors and the public, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable experience for everyone throughout the competition."

Tim Smith, marketing manager for Goodman Fielder Internation­al, reaffirmed the company's com­mitment to supporting grassroots sports development.

"At Goodman Fielder, through our much-loved brands Tuckers Ice Cream, Crest, Meadow Rice, Twisties, and Sunshine Rolled Oats we're proud to continue fueling and inspiring Fijian fami­lies and communities," Smith said.

"To the teachers, parents, coach­es, and supporters, thank you for guiding these students toward healthy and active lifestyles."

"With the strong partnership of the Fiji Sports Council, Fiji Na­tional Sports Commission, Minis­try of Education, and Tuckers Ice Cream, this year's Games prom­ises to be an unforgettable experi­ence. Good luck to all participants give it your best and enjoy every moment," he added,