Mystery surrounds the unceremonious departure of Athletics Fiji rep Sireli Naikelekelevesi, who is believed to have enlisted as a soldier with the British Army in England.

His departure is expected to cause heads to roll at the FASANOC office in Suva after he failed to return home before the Olympic Games in China.

The former South Pacific Games champion was the training partner of Fiji and South Pacific sprint queen Makelesi Batimala.

Fijilive gathered that Naikelekelevesi joined the army after his Europe training tour with Batimala.

Family members confirmed to Fijilive that Naikelekelevesi had enlisted with the British Army and finished phases one and two of training.

It is believed that he was paid through the IOC preparation grant to help train Batimala.

Meanwhile, Fiji athletes Eugene Vollmer and Milika Tuivanuavou are expected to leave for the United States soon for a four-year training scholarship with the Freshno Pacific University.

Athletics Fiji vice president and former South Pacific decathlon champion Albert Miller said Fiji should send athletes to USA for training to win in Olympics and international competitions.

“We will not win anything if we rely on one or two athletes,” he said.

“We should have a base of more than 12 athletes to choose from to make our chances better in competitions. USA is the best place to train track and field athletes.

“We should get our athletes into college system in the USA and send the cream of the annual Coke Games for scholarships. They will train and at the same time advance academically.

“We have to be realistic in preparing our teams. What are we trying to portrait if we continue to lose?

“Medals in the Olympics would be hard to win but we have to be realistic in our chances instead of just going to the Games.”

Fijilive

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