Despite the many challenges faced by rural schools, twelve athletes from St Bede’s College in Savusavu have defied the odds to participate in the 2026 Coca-Cola Games.
Speaking to fijivillage Sports, trainer and Commercial Studies teacher Petero Ratucove says the school has had an interesting preparation journey, facing several ongoing challenges, including limited ground and training facilities, consistently wet weather conditions, and the lack of a trained PEMAC teacher to guide students in their training and preparation for the event.
Ratucove says that despite these challenges, one of the school’s athletes, Maria Rauqica, who secured the school’s lone bronze medal last year, is working hard ahead of this year’s Coca-Cola Games.
He adds that despite the setbacks, St Bede’s College has not underestimated its chances and is instead making full use of the resources and time available to prepare for and participate in the annual event.
