The Suva One athletics contingent has set its sights on defending the Under 14 boys’ division title in the Tuckers Ice Cream Primary Schools athletics championship this weekend.

This was the gist of head coach Bill Momo’s interview with SUNsports yesterday.

“Our preparation has been on par with what we’re trying to do from general phase of preparation to competition,” Momo said.

“Now we are into pre-competition phase and we’re thankful to our stakeholders, 14 heads of schools, the teachers and parents for supporting our preparation.”

Momo said they will also fine tune their weaknesses from their performance last year.

“We’ll try to also secure the girls division as well,” he said.

“The bad weather conditions were some of our challenges, but we are able to adapt to it especially in our training seasons as we would change the training venue in case of rainfall.”

Momo said his athletes have adapted well to the training in their preparation.

“It was intense at the beginning, and we have set some targets in terms of the times and distances,” he said.

“We are quite happy that we were able to gauge those performance during the Fiji athletics meet organised by Athletics Fiji(AF) last Saturday.”

Momo said there has been significant growth in the sport of athletics in Fiji.

“It is becoming professional in Fiji and we’re thankful that we’ve included some specialist coaches including Antonio Raboiliku, Tui Vanuavou (long jump), Rajen Prasad (high jump) and Fesaitu Mario (throws),” he said.

“It has been a learning experience for the teachers to upgrade in their athletics coaching accreditation and AF has been running for coaches in the rural areas and outer islands to have access to some coaching accreditation from international athletics.”

Momo said other districts will provide stiff competition as their goal is to win as well.

“Every district is coming for a win; they don’t merely come to compete because like us they are here for all the medals that are up for stakes especially the gold medal,” he said.

“Our strength comes from our guardians, parents and also our head of schools.”

Momo also acknowledged the contribution from their sponsors.

“There will be some students coming to Suva for the first time, who’ll be running and throwing for the first time. That in itself is a winner for everyone,” he said.

“I would like to give my best wishes to all the other districts.”

Momo said the Wallis and Futuna athletics team will provide another level of competitiveness for the other districts as well.

“It’s a growth in athletics itself and I’d like to thank the teachers form Wallis and Futuna for bringing their team over,” he said.

The competition will be held at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva from November 28 to 29.

Feedback: ioane.asioli@fijisun.com.fj