Digicel steps in to boost Coca-Cola Games meet

Digicel Fiji chief executive officer Darren McLean, first back row, look on with Coca-Cola Games stakeholders as Sainimili Vakacegu, Coca-Cola’s longest serving employee, lights the Games torch. The torch which will be taken to 76 secondary schools before it is used to light the cauldron at the ANZ Stadium where the Games will be held next month.

<<By Sports Editor, Nicolette Chambers>>

MOBILE telecommunications giant Digicel has partnered with Coca-Cola Amatil Fiji to deliver the best secondary schools athletics meet yet, it was announced this morning.

Digicel Fiji’s chief executive officer Darren McLean said the historic partnership was “very big” and would involve three significant promotions jointly conducted with Coca-Cola.

“This is the first time Digicel is being involved in the Coca-Cola Games which is clearly the biggest sports event in the calendar in Fiji,” he said.

He made the statement at a joint press conference with Coca-Cola Amatil Fiji and the Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Association at the bevarage company’s Nasinu headquarters.

Digicel is a major sponsor of the Powerade National Torch Relay.

The torch was lit by Coca-Cola’s longest serving staff Sainimili Vakacegu after the press conference, an d was taken first to Nasinu Seconday School by five of its star athletes.

Fiji Secondary Schools Athletics Association secretary Filimoni Waqa, middle, thanks Games sponsors. From left: Coca-Cola spokesman Lawrence Tikaram, Waqa and Sainimili Vakacegu, Coca-Cola’s longest serving employee. PHOTOGRAPHER: Ruci Vakamino

McLean said Digicel looked forward to support the torch relay effort which took the spirit of the Games into all of Fiji’s communities and villages.

The Powerade National Torch Relay will reach 76 schools.

Coca-Cola spokesman Lawrence Tikaram said 20 of the schools will receive the torch for the first time.

“It will be going to Yasawa for the very first time, Malolo, Vanua Levu and Beqa,” he said.

“We are humbled that they have taken out the challenge and I am aware that the people of Malolo will be taking it on a bilibili and that is going to be an exciting journey.”

Tikaram said this was exactly what the torch relay was about; “bringing families and communities together”.

Nasinu Secondary School’s star athletes ready to run the torch to their school. PHOTOGRAPHER: Ruci Vakamino

He called on the public to support the torch relay when it reached their neighbourhoods or schools because “we believe that the light of this Coca-Cola Games will be brought into the homes of all Fijians to bring out the passion and glory”.

The torch was scheduled to be taken to four other schools in Nasinu today. The relay will head for the Western Division tomorrow and return to the Central/Eastern Division after six days before heading to Vanua Levu. The Games will be from April 22-23.