The Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts has approved a request from the Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Association to proceed with organising the 2016 Coca Cola Games Athletics Competition.
The Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Hon. Dr Mahendra Reddy, after thorough discussion with senior staff of the ministry and the organisers of the competition, have come to a consensus to proceed with the competition this year.
“We understand the situation we are in but we want to ensure that we do not deprive students of this opportunity. The competition is rated as the largest secondary schools athletics competition in the world and has produced some outstanding athletes who have done Fiji proud in the past. Sports are no longer seen in Fiji as a leisure activity or hobby. It’s an industry on its own and we must not relegate it as a secondary activity,” Minister Reddy said.
“The Ministry wishes to make it clear that this decision is made for the benefit of students and schools nationwide. This competition would provide an electrifying atmosphere that would allow teachers and students to enjoy and recover from the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Winston.
Certain conditions have been established to accommodate the participation of secondary schools affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston, which include:
a.) Cyclone-affected maritime schools will not be participating;
b.) Cyclone-affected schools in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu will be paid in advance for all transportation costs;
c.) Cyclone-affected schools in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu will be allowed to use the free education grants (FEG), up to $3000 to assist in picking up other costs for the schools to participate in the Competition;
d.) Cyclone-affected schools in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu can apply to the Ministry of Education to access additional funding of up to $500 to allow them to participate in the competition;
e.) Cyclone-affected schools in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu will not be asking children or their parents to provide any cash contribution towards meeting the cost of this competition.
The Ministry of Education considers sports to be a very effective character builder because it inculcates a sense of usefulness, of belonging and ultimately a springboard to the highest values of citizenship.
The Ministry of Education wishes all schools the very best in this recovery period and hopes that this competition will strengthen bonds and relieve the tensions and scars of Tropical Cyclone Winston.
The Coca Cola Games will be held on 29th and 30th April, 2016.