Adverse weather and disrupted maritime transport have forced organisers to postpone the Coca‑Cola Maritime Zone athletics competition, organisers confirmed, in a move aimed at protecting athlete participation and fairness for island schools affected by the storm.
Biu Colati, secretary of the Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Association, told Times Sport the decision followed urgent calls from school principals, particularly from the Lau group of islands, who reported cyclone‑related delays to their travel arrangements. “In this game, principals call the shots,” Colati said, explaining that principals’ concerns prompted both physical and virtual meetings with stakeholders before the change was endorsed.
The Maritime Zone was due to be contested on Monday at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium but could not proceed after maritime transport routes were significantly disrupted. Several island teams were unable to reach Suva in time, prompting the association to revise the schedule so those affected would not be unfairly excluded from qualification opportunities.
Under the adjusted plan, athletes from maritime schools who are already in Suva will compete in qualifying events on Wednesday and again on Saturday; those still travelling to the capital will be accommodated on Saturday, with the last school expected to arrive in Suva on Wednesday evening. Colati said the revised timetable was crafted to “ensure all athletes are given a fair opportunity to compete and qualify,” and to maintain inclusivity across the maritime schools despite the weather setback.
Organisers held a series of consultations with principals, coaches and other stakeholders to reach the decision, Colati said, reflecting the weight given to school leadership in secondary‑schools athletics governance. The association emphasised that the postponement was not taken lightly but was necessary to protect the integrity of qualification and the safety of competitors and officials.
The Maritime Zone is part of the wider Coca‑Cola Games pathway, and the association reiterated that the national championship remains firmly scheduled for April 30 to May 2. The revised zone timetable is intended to keep selections on track ahead of those national finals while accommodating the travel realities faced by remote island schools during cyclone conditions.
With the situation evolving as teams complete their journeys, the association has asked schools and coaches to maintain contact with organisers for any further updates. The delay is likely to compress preparation timelines for some athletes, but organisers said the priority remains a level playing field for all maritime competitors heading into the national championship.
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