Levuka club youths by Cikamatana’s feat

THE achievements of weightlifter Eileen Cikamatana on the world stage is having a rippling effect on youths from her township in Levuka.

With not much support, 17 lifters from the Levuka Satellite Training Centre are in Suva competing in the National Club Championships at the National Fitness Centre.

Club coach Sade Ere Vira said most of the lifters who are students from Levuka Public school and Delana High School were motivated by Cikamatana’s feats and hoped to one day follow in her footsteps.

“Not everyone can play rugby, netball and that is why these students have shown their interest in taking up weightlifting,” Vira said.

“It is the love for the sport that has motivated these young ones to compete with the mindset that one day they will be able to follow Eileen Cikamatana’s footsteps.

“She has set the standard for us and looking at our girls, they are working really hard to achieve the dream of representing Fiji in the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.”

Sade also made a plea to business houses in Levuka to support the ambitions of the youths.

“What we need is more support, especially financially,” he said.

“We are trying to set up a committee because at the moment it is run by parents of these athletes. We need a committee that can help raise the standard of training for these young ones.

“We are grateful to some shops that have supported us, sponsoring our trip to Suva.”