SUVA primary schools athletics stars Eroni Cagi and Banuve Tabakaucoro have pushed their way into the Fiji under-18 athletics team to compete at this weekends Oceania Grand Prix meet in Ba.
The youngsters who first represented Fiji last year at the Arafura Games in Australia will be up against the best Junior athletes from Australia, New Zealand including top secondary school athletes from Fiji who have also made the cut.
Athletics Fiji sprints coach Bola Tafo'ou said the duo had also taken the initiative to compete at almost all Athletics Fiji sanctioned weekly meets for national squad members.
"Where there is interest and talent we should always give them a go,'' said Tafo'ou.
"They are young, they have the drive so why not put them in for exposure."
Tafo'ou said perhaps the shift would be a blessing in disguise because it was also an opportunity to showcase the sport in the western division.
"Maybe now people in the west have the opportunity to watch a regional meet."
And he has praised New Zealand and Australia for making the trip inlight of the travel advisory warnings issued by their respective governments.
"I take my hats off to them, also to Yvonne Mullins and Oceania Athletics, thank you for coming even though we will not be running on a synthetic track.
"I guess at the end of the day the sport should be the winner and we cannot always bow down to such events, at least sports keeps us moving forward."
Fiji will field three groups of athletes from the U-18, an invitational Open team while their ten elite athletes are included in the Oceania team.
The Australian and New Zealand teams arrive today and will be accommodated at Nadi's Mecure Hotel with athletes from other Islands.
Competition kicks off at Xavier College tomorrow morning.
Fiji Schools team;
U18 Girls: Sera Tuinalase, Makelesi Tumalevu, Salote Niulevu, Laura Komaitai, Paulini K, Josivini, Asena (BMS), Milika Tuivanuavou, Makelesi Tumalevu, Seraseini Tabutale,
U18 Boys: Mosese Talo, Yabaki Seeto, Osea Dasalusalu, Isoa Me, Eroni Cagi, Waisale Tavutuilagi, Richard Gock, Eugine Volmer, Christian Melgard, Banuve Tabakaucoro.
Fiji Open Invitational:
Men: Filimoni Ratusaki, Eroni Tuivanuavou, Matavesi Telawa, Timoci Moimoilevu, Gabi Matavola, Pat Visanti, Jemesa Niulevu, Foy Waqa, Manasa Nayagi, Vishant Kumar, Aporosa (Sigatoka Methodist), Kanitesh B, John Wainiqolo, Kolinio Q, Meli Cama, Meli Waseinuku, Emori Bakewa, Solomone Qisavola, Mikal Ron.
Women: Ulamila Racule, Alena Vadrasamu, Anameli Navukitu, Miriama Radiniwaimaro, Torika Odro, Vasiti Vatureba, Talei Tawake.
