Coca-Cola Games celebrate first participation of athletes with disabilities

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has hailed the inclusion of athletes with disabilities as a historic milestone during the closing ceremony of the Coca-Cola Games 2026.

Speaking at the event, Rabuka emphasised the significance of the first-ever participation of the Fiji Vocational Technical Training Centre for Persons with Disability, describing it as a powerful step towards greater inclusion, equity and opportunity for all Fijians.

Rabuka says the milestone reflects a growing commitment to ensuring that sport is accessible to everyone, regardless of ability and reinforces the role of national events in promoting unity and equal opportunity.

He also highlights the long-standing importance of the Coca-Cola Games in Fiji’s sporting landscape, noting that many of the country’s national and international athletes have emerged through the competition.

He says the Games continue to play a critical role in identifying talent early while fostering confidence, discipline and ambition among young athletes.

The Prime Minister pointed to the scale and national reach of this year’s event, which brought together 2,484 student-athletes from 157 schools across the country, including participants travelling from remote areas such as Rotuma and Lau.

He commended the determination and resilience shown by students who travelled long distances to compete, saying their efforts challenged expectations and signalled even stronger performances in the future.

Meanwhile, a total of 152 events were staged during the Games, supported by more than 400 officials, volunteers, technical staff, medical personnel and security officers.

The event also drew an average daily crowd of around 20,000 spectators, with an estimated 600,000 viewers tuning in locally and internationally via live streaming.