Local athletes make it to nationals
KwaThema – KwaThema Disability Sports Academy athletes have made the cut. They will be participating at the Nedbank National Championships for the Physically Disabled.
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The nationals will take place in Port Elizabeth in April.
These athletes were selected from a trial hosted in Germiston in October, explains KwaThema Disability Sports Academy chairperson, Aubrey Mathebela.
Read: The KwaThema Athletic Disability Club
The successful candidates include Njabulo Sengwayo (11), Nolufefe Semase (23), Bongani Mgidi (17), Nthabiseng Phala (29), Neo Ndlovu (20), Jessica Tlau (18), Itumeleng Kekana (17), Princess Kerk (12), Mbali Dlamini (12), Sello Mabena (21) and Zandile Nhlapho (32).
They will compete in various disciplines, including the 100m, 200m, 400m track events as well as long jump, shot-put, javelin and discus.
In addition to this, Lefa Gofa (29), Katlego Seri (23), Sicelo Mdluli (20), Bongani Mgidi (17) and Thabo Tlale (25) have been selected to compete in the cerebral palsy soccer match.
Neo Ndlovu says he is very excited to have been selected to compete in the 100m, 200m and 400m track events as he only joined the academy this year.
Read: The KwaThema Athletic Disability Club
“It is exciting but also scary as it is the first time that I will be competing in such a competition.
“I am, however, confident as I have been training hard and will continue to do so.
“I believe that my performance will be on point since I am highly prepared,” he says.
Nthabiseng Phala adds that she is also happy have been \selected for the 100m and 200m track events as well as for long jump and shot-put.
“It will challenging but since I am pushing myself and training harder I am confident.
“This year I am also going in with the mindset that I am not competing with others but with myself and previous results,” she says.