WE are here again, smack bang at the start of what is expected to be three exciting days of athletics action at the National Stadium in Suva.
It seems that way from the outset.
The fans are headed here, into the Capital City.
The old scholars are loading social media, showing their support and allegiance.
The athletes are prepared for an event that continues to attract the imagination of thousands of Fijians annually.
Without a doubt, this is where the best of our high school athletes converge to test themselves.
For three days, this is where thousands of people around the country will focus their attention.
That’s how big this event is. Athletes will be arriving in Suva in the best shape of their lives.
With hours of preparation behind them, toned muscles itching to get into action, the athletes will be on show over three days.
Each will be raring to prove a point for their school, their family and fans, their old scholars and most importantly, for themselves.
From today, athletes from high schools around the country will begin their quest for glory at the National Stadium.
Today is day one of the Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Finals, arguably the biggest and most anticipated sporting event in the country.
It brings together our top high school athletes for three days of exciting action on the track and field.
Attention will undoubtedly be on giants Ratu Kadavulevu School, and the likes of Marist Brothers High School, Natabua High School, Jasper Williams High School, and Adi Cakobau School to name a few.
In fact it is getting difficult to shrug off the impact the Fiji Finals has on the imagination of students, fans and parents around the country. It has a special place in their hearts and minds for many reasons.
We can expect to see a kaleidoscope of colours on the field and on the stands. Expect the stadium to be like a cauldron brimming with people from all walks of life.
Expect every imaginary demarcation lines to be cast aside.
This is where athletes will live their dreams.
They will push themselves to the limit and see how they fare against the best in their age groups.
One common factor binds each athlete over the next three days.
They will have the distinction of having competed at the highest level of high school athletics in Fiji.
The internet and high visibility in the media have raised the profile of this event to dizzying heights.
The involvement of former students has seen a rise in spectator numbers and intensity in preparation.
So what makes the Fiji Finals special? It has to be the people.
From the athlete to the support staff and everyone behind the scenes, the sponsors, members of the media, the fans and the old scholars, the food sellers, the cabbies, to the bus driver servicing the many routes around the capital.
There are many faces, hands, and brains behind what makes this annual event the great show it is today.
We wish all the athletes who will be participating this week the best and hope you will have positive memories of the 2019 Fiji Finals.
