The eight-day of the Fiji Sports Council’s off-season athletics camp highlights the long journey ahead for athletes.
Despite the progress made, athletics officer Bola Tafoou admits, “We are nowhere near Olympic level yet, but we’re here to build a solid foundation for the future.”
The camp is designed for athletes who have little to no experience in athletics.
Tafoou explains that many of the participants are new to the sport, and the goal is to teach them the basics, throws, jumps, endurance, and recovery.
“These kids are learning fundamental skills, which is crucial for their long-term development,” he said.
While the camp has brought promising results, Tafoou is realistic about Fiji’s current standing in athletics.
“We’re not even close to Olympic level. But it’s about developing athletes who can reach that level in the future,” he added.
The key focus is on long-term training cycles, including the micro and macro cycles, to ensure athletes are not overworked and burned out.
“Recovery is just as important as training,” Tafoou emphasized.
This camp is just one step toward improving athletics in Fiji.
Although the Olympic dream remains distant, with continued effort, Fiji can build athletes capable of competing on the world stage.
For now, the focus is on teaching discipline, time management, and perseverance, skills that will benefit athletes both on and off the track.
