Athletics Fiji head coach and former Olympian Albert Miller Sr has confirmed that 2022 Coca-Cola Games blue ribbon winner Waisale Inoke and long-distance runner Vilorina Naibena will still be able to represent Fiji at the Pacific Games despite being on scholarship to the United States.
“Yes, they will be able to represent Fiji at the PG and any other international competitions. However, this will depend on their academic commitments at the college,” Miller said.
“The other issue is finance. This is because the cost to fly the athletes from the US to the games will be the responsibility of Athletics Fiji.”
Inoke and Naibena, former students of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School, each received scholarships to Neosho Community College in Kansas, USA, a scholarship program offered by the Oceania Foundation.
While Naibena stays on the track events and focuses on her long-distance events, Inoke has turned his interest to long and triple jump events.
“Naibena will be taking part in the long-distance events,” Miller said.
“It will be cross-country season so she will be part of their cross-country team which will also prepare her for the indoor season.
“Meanwhile, Inoke has switched to the field events, and will be studying and training while in the US.”
Miller also announced that Athletics Fiji will be conducting their last athletics trials at the beginning of September before he names his squad for the Pacific Games.
“We will be having our last trials on September 2, and we have been given until September 5 to name our squad.
“Athletics Fiji is grateful for the opportunity to be part of the scholarship program offered by the Oceania Foundation.
“We currently have five athletes on this program; Waisele Inoke, Vilorina Naibena, Kaiyava Francis, Joana Vakasobuduru, and Abraham Mallum.”
