Comrades winner inspires young athletes

Gift Kelehe the 2015 Comrade Marathon Champion was highly impressed by the talent displayed by learners during the Provincial Schools Athletics Competition which started from 25 – 27 September 2016, held at McArthur Sport Grounds in Potchefstroom.

Kelehe was invited by the North West Education and Sport Develop department to run as a guest runner in the 5 000 meters race alongside the under 19 boys. The purpose of his participation in the race was to motivate and inspire learners that it is possible to be a champion in athletics. In seeing him, his supporters could not hold back their excitement as they ululated and screamed his name.

Maboe Katlego (19), a Grade 11 learner from Charora Secondary School in Bojanala District obtained first position, Mosiame Kgomotso (19), a Grade 12 learner from Are-Fadimeng in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District obtained the second position and Thabo Segwabe, a Grade 11 learner from Morare Secondary School obtained the third position whilst Gift Kelehe obtained position four.

Maboe Katlego, the 5 000 meters winner expressed his excitement in winning the race, “I am highly motivated by running in the same race with the National Champion of Comrade Marathon. Kelehe told us to never underestimate our potential, during the race he told us to continue to run and never stop. Now I have won the race and I am proud to represent my province in the National competitions”.

“The North West province is abundant with talent; I was very impressed to see so many young people displaying their talent. I commend the department in exposing this talent in such competitions; this is the platform which is able to identify potential of the future champions. These learners after the athletics competition they should never stop, they should find athletics clubs in their communities to in order to sharpen their talent,” said, Kelehe.

The North West Education and Sport Development MEC, Maphefo Matsemela appreciated and thanked Kelehe for motivating the learners.

“Every time we invite Kelehe, he has never disappointed us. He is a true champion in spirit and a legend in our lifetime. We continue to enjoy his humbleness, inspiration, and our learners learnt a lot from interacting with him today. This has been an honour and a privilege for this champion to motivate our learners”, said MEC Matsemela.

The selected team will represent the North West province National Schools competitions from the 16 – 19 March 2016 in Bloemfontein.

Kelehe assured the supporters that, he will defend his title in the forthcoming 2016 Comrade Marathon Championship to be held in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal province.