Family members of the 12 athletes representing Koro High School at today’s Maritime Zone raised $6000 to help the team travel to Suva.
For them, it’s money well spent as the athletes will try to make their school proud at the HFC Bank Stadium when competition gets underway today.
Viewed by many as underdogs, the team is more than ready to prove they are not just here to participate only and will attempt to gain a gold or two at the Coca-Cola Games this weekend.
Coach Aisake Talakuna said for many of the athletes, this was their first trip to the capital, and they were excited.
“The team struggled a lot financially, so parents and also the villages held fundraising activities, to raise money for the trip, and managed to collect $6000 for their expenses,” he said.
“We were supposed to reach Suva on Saturday last week to give them time to prepare well, but we had problems with transportation.
“Luckily, we were able to get on the next ship and head straight to Suva just in time for our zone.”
He thanked the management of Draiba Primary School in Suva for billeting the team and allowing them to prepare for their zone and the Coca-Cola Games.
Mesulame Vuwai, one of the athletes, said the trip was a great opportunity for Koro High School to showcase their talent, especially against the bigger schools.
“We will try our best and hope to get to win something for our school, also for our parents,” the 18-year-old said.
