Serevi urges students to believe in themselves
“I want to leave you with three important things -One, you have to believe in yourself, in your talent no matter what the people say.
Thursday 07 August 2025 | 23:00
Sevens maestro Waisale Serevi (centre - facing camera) with students of Suva Special School during the awards presentation at the closing of the two-day Central Eastern Council of Special and Inclusive Educators (CECOSIE) Games at the FMF Gymnasium, Suva, on August 7, 2025
Photo: Sereana Salalo-Baleiwai
Sevens maestro Waisale Serevi will be the ambassador of the Central Eastern Council of Special and Inclusive Educators (CECOSIE) programme.
Serevi made the announcement when he officiated the closing of the two-day Games at the FMF Gymnasium, Suva, yesterday.
The games included netball, sitting volleyball, standing volleyball, boccia, football, table tennis and goal ball.
The 2025 Games saw 690 students from eight special schools and two inclusive schools Ratu Latianara College and Arya Samaj Primary School.
Serevi urged the students to always trust themselves and not to be limited by anything.
He added that every child has God-given talent, which can take them to places if they set a goal and work hard towards it.
“Talent takes you in the room. Talent gives you the work. Talent gives you a contract to be playing rugby abroad. Talent maybe gives you an opportunity to be in Parliament or anywhere in a working company. But remember, hard work keeps you in the room,” Serevi said.
“I want to leave you with three important things -One, you have to believe in yourself, in your talent no matter what the people say.
“Secondly, you need to work hard. In school, in sports, in whatever you do in life. Work hard, harder than yesterday.
“And the last one is to never give up in life.
“The world is challenging, I can say sometimes the world is unfair, but never give up. Believe, work it out, and never give up.
CECOSIE president Deepak Singh said they would work with Serevi this year to increase awareness programmes and lift the standard of the Games.
Suva Special School won the junior netball category while the Fiji Vocational technical training centre (FVTTC) won the senior grade.
Serua-based Ratu Latianara College were winners of both the sitting volleyball and standing competition for the juniors.
Other winners: sitting volleyball- senior: Gospel School for the Deaf; standing volleyball (senior): Arya Samaj Primary School, boccia: Nasusori Special School, football-junior: Arya Samaj Primary School, football–senior: FVTTC One, table tennis: FVTTC, goal ball: Fiji School for the Blind, Best disciplined school: Hilton Special School and best dressed team: Suva Special School.
