WESTVILLE SAPS communications officer, Capt Elizabeth Squires, was a member of the KZN team who scooped 36 gold, 17 silver and seven bronze medals and crowned the winners at the 2018 SAP National Champions. Metro Police participated this year for the first time.
“The week began with a cross country race at Burman Bush after which the track and field events took place at Kings Park Athletic Stadium. SAPS also encourages their disable members to participate in sport and it was incredible to watch them perform on the track and field,” said Squires.
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The championship displayed a week of amazing talent and loads of competition between the provinces.
“The athletes were always in high spirits, encouraging and continuously motivating each other even though we were from all over the country,” she said.
Squires said she was contacted by the team manager, Sgt Bongumusa Gabela from Richards Bay who asked her to participate in certain track events.
“I was really unsure because the training I do as a long distance runner is totally different and I was sure I lacked speed. But, after numerous calls from Gabela, I decided at the last minute to go for the challenge.
“I was completely out of my comfort zone and quite nervous that something may go horribly wrong such as pulling a muscle or getting injured.”
Despite all that uncertainty, Squires managed to get gold for the 4km cross country, 5000m, 1500m, and 800m track events.
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The KZN team were crowned the champions of 2018, with Eastern Cape placed second and the head office came third.
Squires added that Sgt Gabela certainly needs to be commended for the manner he managed the team.
The KZN team had a total of 35 athletes; 14 women, 16 men and five with disabilities.
Westville SAPS station commander, Col Zwelakhe Zondi, congratulated Squires and said he was proud of her for flying the Westville flag high.
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