“WE would like to thank you!”
These were the words of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School head coach Waliki Tiko Satakala to his squad after a successful defence of the girls’ division of the Coca-Cola Games, which ended yesterday.
MGM bagged 15 medals, wrapping up what had been a consistent three-day lead on the medal tally over rivals such as Adi Cakobau School.
Satakala thanked the squad for their commitment and diligence towards bagging the girls’ division title once again.
“To the athletes who have gone to greater lengths to try and secure the title for the third year running, we’d like to say thank you,” he said.
“Thank you for your dedication, thank you for your time and thank you for putting up with the demands.
“And it doesn’t come easy and it doesn’t come cheap.”
MGM kept a firm lead since the Games began on Thursday and extended it further with key wins in track events.
For Satakala, seeing their lead go further at the end of each day was a feeling he had to let sink in.
“It sunk in yesterday (Friday) but right now, trying to find that feeling of how you know that you have done something great.”
When day two ended, MGM led with 11 gold, four silver and two bronze medals.
Ratu Sukuna Memorial School was in second place with three gold, two silver and two bronze medals and Adi Cakobau School in third with three gold, one silver and five bronze medals.
And as they return to Fletcher Road in Vatuwaqa, Suva after an action-packed three days of athletics mania and festivities, he added it felt special to continue that title defence once more.
Meanwhile, the school’s male athletes exhibited strong performances at the Games and Satakala said they were still building up the team for now.
“Slowly building up the team and eventually they will get there in maybe the next two years,” he said.
Queen Victoria School won the boys’ division after 33 years, taking home 10 gold, 11 silver and seven bronze medals.
