5 athletes off to Nigerian championship

Five Fiji athletes will participate in the International Association of Athletics Federation-sanctioned World Championship Qualifying competitions in Delta State, Nigeria this month.

The five are Beniamino Maravu (St Bedes College), Kemueli Waqa (Suva Grammar), Ratutira Narara (IOWA Community Junior College USA), Roy Ravana (IOWA Community College USA) and former Suva Grammar sprinter Lepani Naivalu.

For the first time, Athletics Fiji has been invited to bring a male relay team to an IAAF-sanctioned meet.

Team Fiji will participate in the CAA/Warri relays Super Grand Prix on June 14 followed by the Nigerian Nationals on June 21.

Athletics Fiji president Albert Miller said it was a wonderful opportunity for the Fijian athletes to learn from their African counterparts.

He thanked businessman Rikki Alakija, father of national rep Danni, for facilitating the trip.

“We hope the athletes will make use of this opportunity to expose themselves in a competitive environment against the African flyers,” Miller said.

“We also hope this will open doors for more opportunities in the near future.”

Rikki, through his business YodRic Investments, is funding the trip and international visa costs to the tune of about $45,000.

Athletics Federation of Nigeria will provide funding to cover internal flight costs, accommodation and living expenses for the team.

The team leaves the country tomorrow.

 

– FIJI TIMES