Despite having a very young team at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, Chef de Mission to Team Fiji Calvin Yee says their side to this year’s games is a very promising one.
A total of 34 athletes will be representing the country in the games in cycling, 7s rugby, swimming athletics, and triathlon.
“We have a very young squad with us this year, but I can say they are very promising just by the looks of their performances over the past few weeks,” he said.
While there are a few medal prospects to the games, Yee said their ultimate goal was to just do their best despite the results.
“We have a few good medal prospects in swimming, cycling, and athletics.
“But the athletes and players are very excited to be competing.
“We have a few who are travelling for the first time so this trip will be a core memory for them.”
The team left Fiji yesterday for Los Angeles and will then fly out to Miami, before catching their last flight to the border of Spain to Trinidad and Tobago.
“So, it will be almost 42 hours of travelling for us.
“We will be joined by Tolu Young in the US, who is just returning from the World Aquatics Championships in Japan.
“Some of the athletes will then head on to Trinidad while others will go to Tobago, depending on what event they’re competing in.”
With a lot of first-timers in team Fiji, Yee said the games would give good experience and exposure to their athletes, which will help with their development.
“They will be getting good experiences and exposure while at the games, performing and competing against some of the best in the world and this is good from them.
“To this, we will need to continue to follow up and watch over these athletes as they will be representing Fiji at similar meets in the future.”
