Former Pacific Games decathlon champion Albert Miller says there seems to be a lot of secrecy in the build-up to the athletics competition at the 14th Pacific Games in Noumea, New Caledonia.
“From what I see there’s a lot of secrecy going on in a lot of teams especially from PNG and New Caledonia and I think New Caledonia will be the sleeping giant”, said Miller whose coach for the Fiji athletics team.
Miller’s athletics team has been reigning champs on the track for the last two years; however he’s wary of PNG and hosts New Caledonia.
“I haven’t seen the two female stars of the PNG team- Toya is in the 100 and 200 and she can run the 400 and they also have Salome Dell who’s a 400, 800 and 1500m runner. I haven’t seen them around. I’ve seen a very young team.
“I know Nelson stone is in the World Championships where he ran 47.8sec in the 400 meters. He’ll give our 400m runners a run for their money.”
Miller still believes Fiji has the depth with the return of former Pacific Games sprint champion Niko Verekauta has replaced the injured Ratu Tira.
He expects New Caledonia to be strong in the field events.
Athletics competition starts on Saturday at the Numa Daly stadium.
SOURCE: PACNEWS
Last Modified on 31/08/2011 11:02