JUST three months after opening its doors in February, Naweni Secondary School is already defying expectations, stepping onto Fiji’s biggest athletics stage with a story that goes far beyond the pursuit of medals.
From a roll of just 33 students, seven athletes have qualified for the Coca-Cola Games in Suva, stunning rivals at the Cakaudrove Zone Athletics meet.
Head coach Mafi Leiloma said he was still amazed at how everything had fallen into place.
“It’s only been three months and most of them had never even travelled to Suva before, let alone compete at this level. I am amazed with the commitment showed by the athletes,” Leiloma said.
He proudly says that while the team may be small, their identity is bold, proudly symbolised by a red prawn emblazoned on their school monogram.
“We might be small like a prawn, but we will pack a punch,” he said.
Leiloma shares how athletes have been powered not just by determination, but by an extraordinary support from the vanua o Naweni, parents, siblings, sponsors and relatives rallied behind the team in numbers that sometimes outmatched the athletes themselves.
“At one point, we would see that there are more parents than athletes,” Leiloma said with a smile.
Now among Fiji’s best for the Coca-Cola Games, Naweni’s athletes arrived in Suva not in awe, but ready to compete and make their mark.
