The Adi Cakobau School athletes are aware of the huge task ahead of them when they defend the Coca-Cola Games girls’ title this year at the HFC Bank Stadium in Laucala Bay from August 18-20.
ACS scooped the Coca-Cola Games title in 2019 when the games were last held.
They were led by Serenia Ragatu who was crowned the blue ribbon girls winner, clocking a time of 12.26 seconds in the 100m event.
ACS athletics coach Antonio Raboiliku said the girls from Sawani were focusing on competing first at the Triple N zone before they looked at the bigger picture.
“We are preparing them well and they have been competing in competitions and at the Tailevu zone,” said Raboiliku.
“We are trying to give the best possible preparations for the athletes. So far everything is going according to plan and we are hoping to come to the Triple N zone, even though it would be close to the games, I am adamant the girls will participate well.”
Raboiliku said their preparations were based on improving their performances and they were not moved by the results from athletes of rival schools.
“For us, we always train the girls to work on themselves first and improve on their performances. We do not worry about other schools as we are more concerned about our participation and performance. In doing that, it nullifies the fact that we are worried about our competition. We want the girls to be the best on that day.”
He says ACS focuses on the holistic development of students and they are proud of the reputation former scholars have left behind to inspire the current athletes.
“We always remind them of the school motto and that is to leave the world better than they found it. We drive the importance of balancing school work and sports and we are happy with the achievements of former athletes such as Laisani Moceisawana who is part of the Fijiana 7s squad to the Commonwealth Games.
“Athletics is the mother of all sports and we know if we prepare them well both in school and athletics, they would do well in any other sport when they leave school. This is the base of what we are trying to teach them and I know the girls would be motivated by the achievements of the former scholars.”
The whole of the ACS family is eagerly waiting for the commencement of the games and Raboiliku said it would be worth the wait.
“Right now everyone is sitting back and hoping the Coca-Cola Games would happen again. I know when the Games commences; everyone will be there to rally behind the athletes. It had been evident for the past few years that ACS has the best supporters and I am sure parents, old scholars and family members will come together and cheer.”
The Triple N zone is scheduled for Tuesday, August 2 where the ACS athletes will have 13 days to work on their performances before the Coca-Cola Games.
