Athletes spring into the new athletics season

Central Gauteng Athletics gets the new athletics season underway with Track and Field Development Open meeting, held at the Germiston Stadium.

October 3, 2019

Leigh Hodgson 2 minutes read

Anzelle du Toit, from Germiston Callies Harriers, gave it her all as the competed in the u-16 shot-put during the Central Gauteng Athletics’ (CGA) Development Open meeting at the Germiston Stadium, last Saturday.

Germiston Stadium was abuzz with activity last Saturday as athletes from across Gauteng competed in Central Gauteng Athletics’ (CGA) first track and field meeting for 2019/20 season.

The Track and Field Development Open meeting was well supported with approximately 2 000 athletes and spectators arriving at the stadium for the event, which saw athletes between the ages of seven and 17 competing for podium finishes.

The meeting did not only give the athletes a chance to hone their skills ahead of the new season, but also served as trials for the Johannesburg team ahead of the Gauteng OR Tambo Sonici Provincial Games, which will be held at the Germiston Stadium on October 26 and 27.

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Thuto Mokoena, from the Waterfall Athletics Club, was the first winner of the day crossing the line in first place in the boys and girls u-17 5 000m walk, in a time of 26 minutes and 41 seconds.

“Today’s race was tough, and filled with strong and competitive athletes,” said Mokoena.

“But I was able to break away from the group at the 3 500m mark and flowed with the momentum towards the finish line.”

Other highlights from the day included another standout performance from Zonica Lindeque, from UJ Athletics Club, in the girl’s u-15 shot-put.

Lindeque threw a personal best of 15.73m during the competition.

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Local athletics club Diamond Athletics Club shone at the event.

The club’s athletes, Tyler Howard and Charnise Jansen van Vuuren, who competed in the boys and girls sub-youth 200m sprints, respectively won their races in a time of 24.87 seconds and 27.82 seconds.

Germiston Callies Harriers athlete Shane Buys, who started athletics at the age of seven, gave a standout performance in the boys’ u-17 long jump landing a distance of 5.18m.

CGA was thrilled with the success of the event, but took time to remind coaches, parents and athletes how important it is to stick to deadlines and schedules.

“We urge coaches, athletes and parents to pre-enter in time with the correct information and full details, as these are needed before the entry can be captured on the information system.

“We need more coaches to support this system,” said CGA track and field chairperson Maggie Dicks.

The next scheduled athletics meeting will take place at the Germiston Stadium on October 5.