FOR the first time in 25 years, the Fiji Primary Schools Athletics competition will be played in three different divisions.
Known as the FMF Chow Games, the competition was usually housed at the National Stadium however the venue is now under renovations and organisers had to move the games elsewhere.
Fiji Primary Schools Athletics Association secretary Patrick Bower said they had to divide the competition into divisions because they could not find a big enough venue.
This means there will be three separate winners — namely Western, Central and Northern.
"We continue to emphasise the great need to improve physical education programs in our primary schools initially as the foundation of basic fitness and development of athletic skill which will in many ways boost sports in general," Bower said.
"The introduction of Divisional Chow Games will boost this process once we and our sponsor strengthen our development programme at primary school level," he said.
Also while districts will compete against each other in the western and northern divisions, the Central Division will see schools compete against each other with the exception of two districts — Serua/Namosi District and Lami District.
Meanwhile, major sponsors FMF yesterday handed over a cheque for $60,000 to FPSAA.
"We thank our sponosrs FMF Limited for their tremendous financial assistance and to the committees of the three divisions for their hard work and commitment in making this possible," Bower said.
Games in the western and northern division will be played on November 16 and 17 at Churchill Park in Lautoka and Subrail Park in Labasa respectively while competition in the Central Division will be on Saturday, November 16 at the Suva Grammar School grounds.