First time for 32

For a first timer, it is a massive achievement to take a team of 32 students to a national championship.

These were the words of Sabeto District School headteacher Sofia Matai.

The Nadi-based school will compete for the very first time in the Fiji National Schools’ Swimming Association Primary and Secondary Schools’ National Swimming Championships to be held tomorrow and Saturday at the Olympic Pool in Suva.

“I believe in my students and I know they would give their best,” she said.

According to Matai, exciting times are ahead of the school as 32 is a very good number for a school participating in the competition with some schools in Nadi taking as many as 20 students.

“This is the first time in the school’s history that we are taking part.

“We have seen the qualities and skills that our students have, and we are very appreciative that some of the swimming personnel that are guiding our students,” Matai said. She said the students had been training for the past two months and they were excited for the event.

“This is our first year. More students wanted to come but hopefully we do our best and build on it.” She said the team would leave today for Suva and would be accompanied by two teachers.