FOR the young athletes of Dilkusha Boys’ and Dilkusha Girls’ Primary School, the annual inter-house athletics meet was more than a day of competition, it was an opportunity to take the first step towards a bigger sporting stage.
The event brought together students from Years 4 to 8, giving them a platform to test their abilities, compete for their houses and catch the attention of those looking for promising young talent.
Head of School at Dilkusha Girls’ Primary School Alanieta Ratumaimuri said the competition was an important part of the students’ overall development and could provide a pathway towards district and national athletics.
“It is part of the holistic development, where students come and showcase their talents so that they will represent the school into the district meet and then to the national level,” Ratumaimuri said.
She said school competitions such as the inter-house meet allowed students to discover and develop their strengths while preparing them for higher levels of competition.
The pathway is already familiar to Dilkusha, with former students progressing to secondary schools such as Mahtma Gandhi Memorial School and Adi Cakobau School after displaying promise in athletics.
Ratumaimuri said the school hoped more students would follow that path through continued participation, commitment and development.
For her, the role of sport extends well beyond the athletics track.
“With the holistic approach in education, that’s why we are out here. It’s not just confined to the four walls of a classroom,” she said.
She believes identifying sporting talent early can give students opportunities that could extend beyond their school years.
“We want to showcase the talents that our students have so that they can also earn a living in sports, whether it’s in athletics or rugby,” Ratumaimuri said.
With students from both Dilkusha Primary Schools competing, the inter-house meet provided a foundation for the next stage of their sporting journey.
