Natabua High School will be fielding fewer athletes this year but is still aiming for a strong finish at the upcoming Coca Cola Games.

The school has been one of the traditional powerhouses in schools athletics having produced the likes of current Fijiana rugby coach Iliesa Tanivula.

Team coach Sairusi Naituku says even though they won the Lautoka Zone a fortnight ago, the athletes didn’t perform to the standard they had expected.
Naituku adds they are fielding 70 athletes this year compared to 80 last year.

“We are working very hard. Last year we came second in the boy’s division and this year we realize that some other schools have better times in their zones and I think we have to work very hard so that we keep up to the standard.”

Meanwhile, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation CEO, Riyaz Sayed Khaiyum says the FBC has always promoted minor sports and will continue to do so in any way possible.

Kahiyum’s comment comes after the announcement that this year’s Coca Cola games will also be shown live on FBC TV.

“We have always, right from the onset when FBC TV first started three 3 years ago, we always have been extremely supportive of what considered to be minor sports in Fiji. So apart from the usual rugby and soccer, we have always leant our support to sports such as Netball and Basketball and Volleyball.”

The joint venture means many of those in the interior and outer Islands who only receive the FBC TV signal will now be able to watch their friends or relatives compete at secondary schools highest level.

The Coke games will be held on the 24th and 25th of this month at the ANZ Stadium in Suva.