“TODAY, we don’t just ignite a torch, we ignite a nation.”
These were the words uttered by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners representative Lawrence Tikaram, to set the stage for the 2026 Coca-Cola Games torch lighting ceremony that took place at the organisation’s headquarters in Suva yesterday
Athletes of the defending schools, Marist Brothers High School and Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School were present at the occasion as it also marked the start to a torch relay that will span the entire country over the next two weeks.
It was also an opportunity for the representatives of the games’ major sponsors such as Digicel Fiji, FIJI Water, Fiji Gas, CK’s MEGA Bargain, Pacific Energy and Powerade to share what their backing of the games meant to them.
Speaking on behalf of Digicel Fiji, chief executive Farid Mohammed spoke of how the games impact beyond the field and tracks through school cheering squads and routines had added another dimension to the games wider appeal.
For FIJI Water, its senior manager of public relations and communications, Edwina Chand said the brand was excited to add a new chapter to its existing 20-year partnership with the games.
Fiji Gas, an official partner of the games torch relay, its national sales and marketing manager Sonal Shivam shared how the relay embodied the values of discipline and unity.
CK’s MEGA Bargain managing director Jitesh Patel shared how their partnership for this year’s games had already begun with the provision of uniforms for officials at the zone athletics competition unfolding across the country.
The torch relay is expected to begin in the Lau group before it will travel to other parts of the country and culminate in the official lighting ceremony of the Coca-Cola Games cauldron when the games begin on April 30.
