Defending girls champion of the Coca-Cola Games, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial School, coach Waliki Tiko Satakala stresses that their secret to success is taking no shortcuts as they prepare to defend their title at the 2026 Coca-Cola Games.
Satakala says the school’s success comes from preparing from the beginning of the year, staying disciplined, and teaching athletes to take care of their bodies stressing the days of only preparing when a competition is near.
Among MGM’s returning gold medallists this year are Veniana Ranadi in the junior 100 and 200 metres, Adikeva Nalau in the junior 400 metres, Merekeleni Ratubaka in the junior 1,500 and 3,000 metres.
Savaira in the junior javelin and shot put, Sera Nasilivata in the intermediate 100 and 200 metres, Vasiti Rekisa in the intermediate shot put, Keleni Samantha Lutu in the intermediate long jump and triple jump, and Gladness Simpson in the senior 800 and 1,500 metres.
Satakala stresses that if Fiji wants to catch up with other countries, athletes need to start preparing as soon as one Coca-Cola Games ends and continue working throughout the year.
The coach says while coaches play their part in physically preparing athletes, students also need to manage their sleeping habits, hydration, and food intake to perform at their best.
As schools gear up for the Coca-Cola Games, the MGM coach says they are hoping to push the boundaries of athletics this year and wishes all competing schools well in their preparations.
Insert: Satakala on monitoring other teams 29th April
MGM girls finished first with 20 gold, 8 silver, and 5 bronze medals last year.
Meanwhile, the Coca-Cola Games will kick off today and run until Saturday at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
