There is no barrier in education for athletes. This was the view of former national sprinter Iliesa Namosimalua after he received his Bachelor of Education (Secondary) in Physical Education and Art and Craft from the Fiji National University (FNU) graduation yesterday. After completing high school studies at Suva Grammar School, he was selected to be part of the team to train overseas for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The 39-year-old from Naroi, Moala in Lau is FNU’s sports coordinator who looks after all the sports for students. “I organise sports programmes, club and campus games.” Despite being in the national squad for the 2208 Olympic Games, he returned to Fiji to pursue a two-year Diploma of Teaching Course at the then Fiji College of Advanced Education (FCAE). He first graduated in 2009 with a Diploma in Education (Majoring in Physical Education and Art Craft) and was posted Natabua High School as the PEMAC teacher for three years. “My message to other sports people that are participating now and getting close to retirement- education is very important and it’s something that you can fall back on. “If they don’t have an academic background, they can always pursue sports science where we will always accept them through their sport side as well. “There a lot of programmes in sports, Physical Education (PE), sports science, primary that can help assist sports people.” Namosimalua said the three years of study would not have been possible without God and his family. “I want to thank God for bringing me this far to achieve what I have achieved today. Without him, you know, I cannot finish off anything, but with His help, I have managed to graduate. “My family who has been supporting me throughout the three years of studies and everybody else like lecturers and also my colleagues.” Namosimalua was a sports development officer at the Fiji National Sports Commission before joining FNU. Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj