Marist Brothers High School will be fielding 76 athletes this year for the Fiji Finals as they look forward to defending their boys’ title at the 2025 Coca-Cola Games that will begin this Thursday.
Marist Athletics’ Coach Antonio Raboiliku says it has been a long journey for the boys in terms of preparation, and the pressure to defend the title this year is another heavy burden.
Raboiliku says this is the smallest squad Marist has sent to the Cokes game in the last three years, but that does not affect their determination to retain the title.
He says the level of competition this year is completely different from previous years, as the Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Association has raised the qualifying standards, which means more quality athletes will be participating in the three-day event.
The head coach says despite some members of the team being affected by the dengue fever outbreak and other sicknesses, it did not distract the boys from their training and preparation.
Raboiliku adds his message to the team is clear and that is when competition day comes, it is in the hands of the athletes because he has done his part and now it is their responsibility to perform and defend the title.
The Coca-Cola Games will be held from this Thursday to Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
