LAUTOKA Special School athletes are happy to be part of this year's Fiji Finals at the National Stadium in Suva.
Seven athletes were given the golden opportunity to compete at the Games despite not qualifying from the Lautoka However, two athletes did qualify.
And despite returning to the burning west with no medal, school teacher Naomi Underwood, who has been teaching at the school for the past 19 years, said it was an achievement for the athletes.
"This is the first time we came to the Coke Games and I am happy that we were given the opportunity to be here. Even though we did not win any medal, what we have won is the experience and that will help these athletes in the future," Underwood said.
Asinate Tobua and Koto Laisa were the two athletes that qualified from the Lautoka Zone. Tabua competed in the sub-junior girls 100 metres and 200 meters while Laisa competed in the junior girls long jump.
"The other athletes were given an opportunity to come and feel the atmosphere of the national championship."
She added she loved teaching at Lautoka Special School. The team was accompanied by Japanese volunteer Kyohei Kitoku, who is contracted for two years at the school.