Run Alex harbours dreams to revive junior athletics in Jozi
This has robbed many school learners of an opportunity to showcase their talent and at the same time get recognition, says Nkosi.
Run Alex Athletics Club has become part of a broader-based movement with dreams to revive junior athletics in Johannesburg.
This is the view of Run Alex Athletics Club juniors director Siphiwe Nkosi, who bemoaned the dearth of juniors’ development in athletics, saying it had caused a slump of talent in the city.
Back in the early to mid-90s, the most feared 4 x 100m relay team across Gauteng was a team of boys of East Bank High School, comprising talented boys such as the late Masemola cousins Walter and Billy, Lovers Mohlala and another boy whose surname was Gama.
Their exploits and excitement that engulfed those who watched them showcase their talent, have ensured that their performances were still etched in the memories of many people. When you talk of school athletics in Alexandra, these names always come up almost three decades later, Nkosi said.
This is not because Alex had not produced similar talent again following their glorious era but because over the years, school athletics had been on a sharp decline mainly due to a lack of well-organised events.
This has robbed many school learners of an opportunity to showcase their talent and at the same time get recognition, Nkosi added.
He said on April 27 last year, Run Alex launched its juniors’ programme that aimed to re-introduce children of the township to running.
To celebrate the first anniversary of this programme, Nkosi said Run Alex will host a Juniors Day on April 27 at KwaBhekilanga Sports Grounds. This event will be used as sprint talent identification for children between the ages of eight and 14 years.
Details: Siphiwe Nkosi of Run Alex Athletics Club 073 131 6429.
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