By Everest Hala

The 99^th Annual Inter-Collegiate Athletic Sports 2026, sponsored by Tonga Health, opened at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa today. The four-days track and field event is attracting thousands of secondary school students and families to the stadium to cheer for their teams.

The first and opening event of the day was the 1500m (three rounds of the track) event for girls and boys.

In the Senior Boys 1500m, Tonga College ‘Atele runner Mounga Leao won gold while Paula Tonga of ‘Apifo’ou College came in second place after dominating the first two rounds.

Other track and field athletic competitions today included the preliminary hurdle heats, shot put and high jump to name a few. 

Students cheered enthusiatically for their athletes, on a bright sunny day in the capital.

The annual atheletic school competition of four days is highly anticipated. Full results will be complied by the organisers after the end of the competitions.

Tomorrow, Wednesday the day starts with the finals of the 3000m endurance event for girls and boys. 

In the afternoon the finals for the 4x400m relay events for girls and boys will be held.

Thursday morning will see the finals for 800m, and 200m sprint events, while the 300m hurdles finals will be held in the afternoon.

On Friday the finals for all grades are scheduled for the100m hurdles, 400m sprint, 100m sprint and the 4 x 100m relay events.

The competition was opened this morning by HRH Princess Sinaitakala Tuku'aho, welcomed by the chair of the Tonga Secondary Schools Association 'Ana Veikoso (THS).

The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Mr Brek Batley, spoke on behalf of the sponsors, Tonga Health, supported by DFAT and Australian Aid.