DAV College Nabua lifted its profile at the Suva Zone One athletics meet this week, improving on last year’s showing with a haul of three golds, one silver and one bronze while dedicating the performance to the memory of their late coach, Mr Atish Kumar. The two-day competition at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva turned into both a sporting and emotional milestone for the small school.
Rising sprint star Kaveni Tomuse was the headline performer, securing gold in the junior 100 metres final on day one and returning to claim the 200m title on day two. Tomuse repeated his double-gold from last year but said the significance this time was amplified by the team’s motivation to honour their former mentor. “Firstly, I give thanks to the Almighty Lord for His provision and guidance, and also my coaches for having faith in me and giving their support,” he said after the meet.
Distance runner Daniel Prasad added to the celebrations with a commanding win in the 3000m, demonstrating the breadth of the school’s improvement across events. The combined individual successes helped lift DAV College’s overall medal tally and signalled progress for a school that competes with far fewer resources than many larger institutions.
Teacher and trainer Abhishek Chetty, who has been working closely with the athletes, hailed the results as a major achievement for the college. “I am really happy and grateful for my team for winning three gold, one silver and one bronze. It’s a very big achievement for a small school like us, and people also get to know us because of our performance in this two-day event,” Chetty said, noting the wider recognition the team earned through their performances.
The victories were explicitly dedicated to the late Mr Atish Kumar, a former PEMAC head of department and long-serving coach at DAV College Nabua, whose influence the athletes and staff said remains central to their development. Chetty and the students described the meet as a fitting tribute to Kumar’s dedication and the coaching foundations he established.
For DAV College Nabua, the Suva Zone One meet was more than another regional competition; it was presented as evidence of resilience and continuity. The improved medal count and the retention of Tomuse’s sprint titles underline not only individual talent but also the continuity of training and spirit the school has carried forward since Kumar’s passing. The result may also raise expectations for the school’s prospects at upcoming zones and national-level meets.
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