Lelean student runs in honour of late father at Commonwealth Games trials

Lelean Memorial School (LMS) student Mele Gloria was inspired by her late father to participate in the Commonwealth Games trials.

She was part of more than hundred athletes at the HFC Bank Stadium, Suva on Saturday.

The 16-year-old Mualevu, Lau lass lost her father Tale Kotosaya Pai in December last year after he suffered a severe asthma attack.

“My late father often told me to keep on working and stiving for the best,” Gloria said.

“It was amazing running with athletes from other schools, especially from Suva Grammar School and Adi Cakobau School.

“I often train at school with hill sprints, and I also train at the stadium at times.”

Gloria participated in the 200 metres, 400m and 4 x 100m event at the trials.

“I just want to run and beat athletes from other schools,” she said.

‘I’ll have to keep working hard during training and make it work on the tracks.”

Gloria said she has found a balance while focusing on both athletics training and studying in the new school year.