Qualifying standards for Fiji’s national secondary school athletics competition, the Coca-Cola Games, were unanimously agreed to by the 17 zone delegates representing all the participating schools in Fiji.
Fiji Secondary School Athletics Association acting secretary Biu Colati says the qualifying standards give everyone a fair footing in the national meet and more importantly will enable Fiji athletes to qualify for international meets.
“We all agreed to the adopting the qualifying standards after last year’s games. This was also understood and agreed to by those on Rotuma and those in the maritime islands where previously we only took first second and third-place getters,” Colati said.
“If some of these athletes are recognised and chosen to represent Fiji they will be able to do so without any complications because they have satisfied the qualifying times.”
Some parents have expressed concerns about the implementation of the qualifying standards, as they feel that some athletes are being unfairly penalised. In certain cases, athletes who finished first in their events at the zone meet failed to meet the qualifying standard.
“They’re not fair to those who have run their best but fall short because of these standard qualifiers they have introduced,” said a concerned parent who wished to remain anonymous.
“A lot of schools are not fielding their best athletes because of this and it’s affecting the students’ chances and future.”
Athletes who were unable to meet the qualifying standards for the Coca-Cola Games will have two more opportunities to qualify through the President’s Qualifier. The first event was held in Suva last weekend, and the second and final event is scheduled at Lautoka’s Churchill Park this Saturday.
