CGA impressed with development in the province
It was great to see lots of upcoming talent and that CGA has lots of depth, as some of our elite athletes were in Durban for the Absa Run Your City race.”
The Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) reserved special praise for the U14 girls’ 4km event during the fifth leg of its cross-country league meeting at Westonaria Sports Complex on July 8.
The event saw Katelin Heymans from 32Gi secure victory in a time of 13:10, with Irun’s Tatum Laybourn in second place after clocking 13:32.
Mmapaseka Mongatane from Masai claimed the third spot in 13:37.
“The intriguing development of the U14 girls proves the future for CGA is bright. There is so much potential, and we should handle this talent with care,” CGA GM Mandla Radebe said.
He thanked the various clubs and coaches for their hard work, ensuring the growth of the talent pool.
Despite the absence of the organisation’s top runners, who were in Durban for the Absa 10km Run Your City Series, Radebe raved about the depth of talent in the province after another entertaining event.
“With over 1 000 athletes in the event, it was an exciting league filled with great competition. It was great to see lots of upcoming talent,” said Radebe.
It was another victorious day for local junior runners after continuing from where left off during the fourth league meeting in Daveyton last month.
BNAC’s Khaya Madonsela opened the gates after clocking 06:59 for second place in the boys’ U10 2km, while Mahlatse Mamonyane from East Athletic Club (EAC) clinched the girls’ U10 2km.
Thato Sesoko from EAC was third in the girls’ U13 3km, while Zandrèh van der Merwe from BNAC cut the tape in 08:18 to win the boys’ U11 3km.
Siyanda Madlabane from Northerns scored a sub-8 finish to win the boys U12 3km in a time of 07:58. It was another top-two finish for the BNAC’s Chelsea van Dyk and Mmathapelo Ntanga from EAC, who dominated the girls’ U12 3km event.
Qualification for ASA national cross-country championships
Radebe reminded the athletes they had to participate in at least three of the six league meetings and the CGA championships to be considered for selection in the team to represent the province in the ASA national cross-country championships in Gqeberha in September.
The athletes not meeting these selection requirements will have an opportunity during the last league meeting in Randburg on July 22.
“With only one league meeting remaining, the focus for most athletes will be on the provincial championships on August 19 in Kagiso. Athletes will fight to finish in the top four to be considered for the provincial team going to the nationals,” he said.
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