Coca-Cola Games 2026 National Championship Closing Address

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Salutations

  • Honourable Members of Parliament;
  • Senior Government Officials;
  • Members of the Diplomatic Corp
  • Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Association President Ratu Marika Uluinaceva;
  • Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (Fiji), Commercial Director, Mr. Ryan Mahoney
  • Other sponsors, partners and vendors;
  • Officials, security personnel, medical teams, and volunteers;
  • Athletes, Parents, coaches and Teachers;
  • Members of the media; and
  • Ladies & Gentlemen.
  1. Ni Sa Bula Vina’a and Good Afternoon all.

Introduction

  1. Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we stand today, ki Nadonumai vua na Gone Turaga na Tui Suva, I pay my respects to their Chiefs, past and present, as well as emerging leaders and I acknowledge their enduring role within the Vanua and its stewardship. We are honoured to stand on this land through their guardianship and generosity.
  2. I also want to acknowledge our outstanding young athletes, schools, and the teachers, parents, and supporters who have come together to be part of this important national event.
  3. My sincere appreciation goes to the Fiji Secondary School Athletics Association, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and our valued sponsors especially our major sponsor of this timeless event, Coca Cola Amatil Fiji Limited. Your continued partnership ensures that this event remains one of the most important fixtures in our national calendar.
  4. I also recognise the many individuals working behind the scenes. Our volunteers, technical officials, medical teams, security personnel, and organisers have ensured that these Games were delivered safely and successfully. Your efforts do not go unnoticed.

National Significance and Alignment with Development Priorities

  1. Today, as we bring the 2026 Coca-Cola Games to a close, we are reminded that this event is far more than a competition. It is a powerful expression of who we are as a nation.
  2. The Coca-Cola Games represent one of Fiji’s most enduring platforms for nation building. Here, we see the values that define us as a people—discipline, unity, resilience, respect, and excellence—lived out on the field of play.
  3. Sport has a unique ability to bring together individuals from all walks of life. Over these past days, we have witnessed young Fijians from across our islands—urban and rural, maritime and remote—stand side by side, united by purpose, pride, and passion.
  4. Through live coverage that brought the Games into homes across the country and the world, the nation was able to witness not only athletic performance, but also the dedication, professionalism, and personal journeys of our student‑athletes. In sharing this experience, we strengthen our collective identity and reaffirm our belief in the promise of Fiji’s future.

Recognition of Athletes and Pathways

  1. To our student athletes: you are the heart of these Games.
  2. Your commitment, sacrifice, and determination reflect the very best of Fiji’s future. Whether you stood on the podium or not, your courage to compete, your discipline to prepare, and your respect for one another define true success.
  3. This platform continues to serve as a gateway to national and international achievement, with many of our finest athletes beginning their journey here. More importantly, it builds character—preparing you not only for sport, but for leadership and service to our nation.

Personal Reflection and Leadership

  1. Standing here today brings back memories of my own journey as a student athlete. I understand the early mornings, the hard training, and the challenges that come with both victory and defeat.
  2. Those experiences were never just about competition. They were about building character. They taught me discipline, respect, and perseverance. They taught me that success is not only about winning, but about effort, commitment, and the courage to keep going.
  3. That shared experience is what connects me to each of you. I see in you the same determination and potential to become leaders, not only in sport, but in every part of national life.
  4. This very competition has, for many years, been a stepping stone for athletes to represent Fiji on the regional and international stage. I am proud to say that I, too, am a product of this pathway, and it was one of the greatest honours of my life to represent Fiji at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games.

Pathways to Excellence

  1. The Coca‑Cola Games continues to serve as a firm foundation for Fiji’s sporting success. Over many decades, this platform has been instrumental in identifying and nurturing young talent, with many of our national representatives first discovering their potential on this very stage.
  2. From the most recent Pacific Mini Games alone, 12 athletes selected to represent Fiji emerged from this pathway, with a further 20 set to compete at the upcoming Oceania Games. This is a clear indication of the enduring value of these Games to our national sporting landscape.
  3. Historically, most of Fiji’s national and international athletes have emerged through the Coca‑Cola Games, with influence extending beyond athletics into rugby, netball and other sports. This reaffirms the value of school sport in identifying talent early and sustaining clear pathways that build confidence, discipline, and ambition, marking the beginning of a journey of national contribution.

Participation and National Reach

  1. This year’s Games have once again demonstrated their truly national character—bringing together 2,484 student‑athletes from 157 schools, including participants from as far as Rotuma and Lau, with schools travelling from great distances to compete with purpose, demonstrating resilience and determination that challenged expectations and signal even stronger performances ahead.
  2. A historic milestone was marked with the first‑ever participation of the Fiji Vocational Technical Training Centre for persons with disability, reaffirming our commitment to inclusion, equity, and opportunity for all Fijians.
  3. The Coca-Cola Games were conducted across 152 events, made possible by the commitment of more than 500 officials, volunteers, technical staff, medical personnel, and security officers. They were witnessed by an estimated average daily attendance of 20,000 spectators, alongside a further 600,000 viewers locally and internationally through live streaming.
  4. Beyond the track, these Games have united communities, supported local businesses, and generated economic activity—demonstrating that sport is not only a social good, but also an economic enabler.

Values and Nation Building

  1. Sport remains one of the most powerful tools we have for building character and strengthening our society.
  2. On this field, we see discipline in action, the commitment to train and improve. We see resilience, the ability to rise after setbacks. We see teamwork, where success is built together. And we see respect, for the rules, for competitors, and for the spirit of the game.
  3. These are not just sporting values. They are national values. They are the same qualities that strengthen our workforce, our communities, and our leadership. Through sport, we are not only developing athletes. We are developing responsible and capable citizens who will contribute meaningfully to Fiji’s future.

Recognition of Collective Effort and Shared Responsibility

  1. The success of the Coca-Cola Games is not achieved by athletes alone. It is the result of a collective national effort.
  2. To our parents and families—your unwavering support, sacrifice, and encouragement form the foundation upon which these young athletes stand.
  3. To our teachers and coaches—you are mentors and nation-builders, shaping not only athletic ability but the character and discipline of our youth.
  4. To our sponsors and partners, particularly Coca-Cola Europacific Partners—your continued investment reflects a shared commitment to youth development and national progress. Your partnership ensures that these Games continue to grow from strength to strength.
  5. To our officials, volunteers, medical teams, security personnel, and organisers—your professionalism, dedication, and tireless efforts behind the scenes have ensured that these Games were delivered safely, successfully, and at the highest standard.
  6. Each of you has played a vital role in making this event not just possible—but exceptional.

Sport as a Response to National Challenges

  1. At a time when our nation faces evolving social challenges, including the impact of drugs and other pressures on our young people, the Coca-Cola Games provide something profoundly important—purpose, direction, and hope.
  2. Through sport, our youth are given a pathway—one that promotes discipline over distraction, resilience over adversity, and ambition over limitation.
  3. This is why investment in sport is not optional. It is essential to building a stronger, healthier, and more secure Fiji.
  4. Through training and competition, they develop independence, resilience, and responsibility, while gaining exposure to opportunities beyond the classroom extending even to aspirations such as the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.
  5. In this way, the Games bring people together not only in celebration, but also in shared opportunity, growth and prosperity.

Closing Message

  1. To our young athletes, carry forward what you have learned here. The discipline, the resilience, the friendships, and the experiences forged through these Games will endure, shaping character and leadership long after the final event.
  2. Whether you have won or not, your courage to compete and represent your school makes you a champion.
  3. Continue to aim high in your studies, in your communities, and in your future careers. Stay grounded in your values and never stop believing in your potential.
  4. Government remains committed to supporting you, investing in your education, and creating opportunities for every young Fijian to succeed.
  5. As we close these Games, we do so with immense pride in what has been achieved and confidence in what lies ahead.
  6. Pride in our athletes; Pride in our communities; and Pride in our nation.
  7. You are the future of Fiji and based on what we have witnessed here, that future is strong, united, and full of promise.

Vinaka Vakalevu and Thank You!

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