A two-day athletics championship kicking off this Thursday at Korman Stadium in Port Vila will showcase emerging athletic talent from across Vanuatu, with a focus on student-athletes from Sanma, Penama, and TAFEA provinces.

The competition marks an important step in Athletics Vanuatu’s efforts to grow the sport beyond the capital, providing athletes from the provinces a platform to gain exposure and experience.

Since last week, teams have arrived and settled at Korman 2 in preparation for the event. VBTC Sports caught up with provincial representatives who shared their goals and expectations.

Ruben Steven from Sanma said he arrived with three athletes and a coach, and they’re hoping for strong results to help athletes secure spots on the long list for the upcoming Palau Games.

Tafea coach Jerry Charley noted his team includes seven student-athletes.
“All of them are students,” he said. “We want to prepare them to become strong athletes in the future.”

Penama’s head coach, Arnold Sonia, said his five athletes were selected based on their performances during last year’s PISA Games.
“They were picked from their best timing. This is their chance to compete on a bigger stage,” he said.

Sonia, a former national athlete and current Penama coach, also called on the Penama community in Port Vila to support their young athletes throughout the two-day competition.

Selections for the championship were largely based on school competitions in each province, and for many student-athletes, this event is their first major competitive experience.

Kelisha Garae, representing Penama and Saint Patrick College, will compete in the 800m and 1,500m races.

The event is also an opportunity for athletes to prepare for future national events, training camps, and potential international competitions.