After a 33-year wait, Queen Victoria School (QVS) has finally claimed the coveted Coca-Cola Games Championship overall boys’ title, amassing an impressive tally of 10 gold, 11 silver and seven bronze medals.
For sprints coach Banuve Tabacaucoro, the victory was the result of a collective effort, fuelled by the powerful Vulinitu spirit that unites the team.
“It wasn’t much, it was just our off-season programme and getting the right technical coaches in the right events and just working a lot more with our boys than usual,” he explained.
“There was a lot of time spent with the boys behind the scenes, not just the technical coaches but from the mothers as well, the old boys. It was a collective effort.”
The former Pacific sprint king, who claimed several Fiji Finals titles during his high school days at Marist Brothers High School, expressed his gratitude at being part of this historic moment.
“Mixed emotions right now. I’m very excited that the boys managed to pull it off today. I just want to thank the principal for giving me this opportunity and the 2002 task force for roping me in again this year. I’m so thankful for this opportunity,” Tabakaucoro said.
“And on behalf of our head coach Josua Lesu and our manager Mr Bole, this was a team effort and I’m really grateful.”
When asked about his loyalty as a proud and decorated Marist old boy now serving as QVS’s sprints coach, Tabacaucoro replied with quiet pride:
“I’m always a Marist boy but service is the rule and I’ll just leave it at that.”
Meanwhile, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School extended their stronghold on the overall girls’ title to a remarkable third consecutive year, collecting 15 gold, eight silver, and six bronze.
