Athletics Fiji dispute continues

The Athletics Fiji dispute continues as one group has organized the Annual Easter Athletics Championships while the other group is claiming that it is not an official Athletics Fiji event.

The Albert Miller led group has organized the Easter Athletics Championships which will also see two American Olympians, gold medalist and four time world long jump champion Dwight Phillips and Hazel Clark a three time Olympian conduct clinics for local coaches and athletes preparing to participate in the Coca Cola Games in partnership with Athletics Fiji.

In a statement released by another group led by Dr Ayoade Alakija said the advertised or promoted Easter Athletics Championships which starts tomorrow is not sanctioned by Athletics Fiji.

Alakija said with the Coca Cola Games scheduled for next week, their view is that organizing a national competition a few days prior to this major national secondary schools athletics competition will be irresponsible and not protecting the welfare of athletes.

The Alakija group said they are ensuring that the secondary school athletes are able to compete injury free at the Coca Cola Games and are not burdened by additional costs of travelling to Suva.

Meanwhile, Albert Miller said these are just Dr Alakija’s views and they will still go ahead with the meet.

Miller said they have been organizing this meet for the last 50 years and it is the biggest athletics meet before the Coca Cola Games.

He said they are doing this for the students.