Naeco Vatanitawake, a young athlete from Yasawa, is embracing the excitement of the Fiji Primary Schools Tuckers Ice Cream Games held at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Despite the challenges that come with traveling long distances from his village of Yasawa-i-Rara, Vatanitawake is determined to compete and aims to secure medals in this prestigious event.
He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, noting the stark differences between life in the bustling capital city and his village, where access to resources is limited. “Everything is accessible here; back in the village, we have to search for things to feed ourselves,” he remarked, highlighting the stark contrast in living conditions.
Vatanitawake also reflected on the hurdles faced by his athletics squad during their preparation, including financial constraints and the intensity of training. Despite these obstacles, he remains optimistic and has faith in his team’s potential to excel.
The young athlete shared his joy over recent achievements, including being named dux of Bukama Village School, an accomplishment that surprised him and brought immense pride to his family, who celebrated with a feast. Additionally, he successfully passed the Fiji Year Eight examination, underscoring his dedication to both academics and sports.
He encourages his peers to strive for excellence in both areas, stating, “If you find yourself weak in academic work then lean on to sports.” Besides his passion for athletics, Vatanitawake enjoys rugby, playing first five-eight, and aspires to be part of the Flying Fijians team in the future, inspired by his favorite player, Caleb Muntz.
This story embodies hope and resilience, demonstrating how young athletes like Vatanitawake can overcome adversity through determination and hard work. It serves as a reminder that with dedication, success is achievable in both sports and education.
In summary, Naeco Vatanitawake’s journey highlights the power of perseverance and the importance of balancing academics with sports, offering an inspiring message to youth everywhere.
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