For the first time in the history of the Coca‑Cola Games, para‑athletes will be part of the Fiji Finals, the Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Association (FSSAA) confirmed today — a landmark change that FSSAA officials say follows two years of constitutional reform and long-term planning. FSSAA executive member Biu Colati said para competitors will be allowed to contest four events initially, with the decision to phase in participation intended to ensure the new programme is properly managed.
“That is another milestone that we are looking forward to,” Colati said, confirming the move. He said the association had amended its constitution over the last two years to permit inclusive entries and had invited para‑athletes to join this year’s Finals. “They’ll be competing in only four events to start off with — we told them four or even one, as long as you come. We’ve done the necessary changes and we were waiting for them to come, and they’ve decided to join us this year.”
The announcement arrives alongside the renewal of Coca‑Cola’s sponsorship of the FSSAA. The beverage company today handed over a new vehicle to the association for use by Coca‑Cola Games officials, part of a package the company says is intended to strengthen outreach and administration around the nationally watched championships. Coca‑Cola Amatil Marketing Manager Lawrence Tikaram said the vehicle will help ensure the Games’ messaging reaches athletes across the zones and will help mobilise officials to attend events outside the main competition centres.
“This is to ensure the reach and knowledge of the Games will filter down to the athletes,” Tikaram said, adding the vehicle will support officials’ movement to qualifying meets and other responsibilities as the season unfolds. The renewed sponsorship and logistics support come as the FSSAA rolls out several changes aimed at improving competition structure and access for more athletes.
Officials say the inclusion of para events will be introduced carefully, monitored during the inaugural year and adjusted as needed. Starting with a small slate of events is intended to let organisers develop classification and competition procedures, secure appropriate equipment and officiating, and integrate para‑athletes into the existing schedule without disrupting other events.
The zone qualifying meets begin next week, and organisers have announced that coverage of Suva Zone 2 and Zone 1 will be broadcast live and exclusively on FBC Sports from Tuesday to Friday — a platform that organisers hope will raise the profile of the new para competitions as well as the broader Finals. FSSAA representatives say this development builds on recent reforms such as the introduction of semifinals for events with high entry numbers and expanded qualifying opportunities, underlining a broader push to modernise and make Fiji’s school athletics more inclusive.
FSSAA officials say they will report on participation and operational lessons from this first year and are open to expanding para‑athlete events in future Finals if the initial programme proves successful. For now, the decision marks a significant step towards greater inclusiveness in one of Fiji’s premier youth sporting events.
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