Local sportsman promoted to coach

Local police sportsman, Constable Gladstone Shabangu, adds another title to his name, after he was certified as a coach by Athletics South Africa at the University of South Africa in Polokwane recently.

Shabangu received a level one coaching certificate specialising in high jump, long jump and pole vault. He was crowned SAPS National Sports Man of the year in 2017 after winning a number of long jump competitions.

Read: Police officer keeps on winning

The police officer believes this is a great stepping stone in his athletics career and is excited about the future. “This for me, means that I can now go back and start developing young people to become great athletes and to revive their passion for jumping,” explained Shabangu. He also founded Ritavi Cross Warriors Athletics, which develops young athletes in the Nkowankowa area.

Earlier this year one of his athlete, Monica Nobela (10) participated in a national school competition in the 100m sprint. He is also a SAPS Provincial Athletics coach and also a fitness coach for a number of local police stations.

Other Tzaneers who were awarded coaching certificates included Sergeant Matthew Raolane, Sergeant John Shikwambana and Timothy Nkuna.