Athletes prepare with track and field event

THE continuous dismal performance by Limpopo athletes at national athletics championships has prompted athletics coach, Deon Jewaskiewitz to prepare the athletes for the next championships.

On Saturday, athletes from across the province converged at the Peter Mokaba Stadium to compete in track and field events.

Jewaskiewitz said he was tired of the athletes’ poor showing year in and year out and vowed to change the status quo by getting the athletes competition ready well in advance. He said athletes needed to get used to the competition and keep their rhythm right. “We should have started with our preparations a long time ago. This is our very first preparatory event while KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng had six events already.

“That in itself shows that we need to work extra hard if we fancy our chances of giving those provinces a run for their money,” Jewaskiewitz said.

The Polish-born coach added that he was happy with the turn out and was confident that Limpopo would be competitive in the next year’s championships. Jewaskiewitz, who boasts 15 years of coaching experience and also doubles as a pastor at Full Gospel Church, said Saturday’s event was attended by athletes from Tzaneen, Modimolle, Makhado and Bochum.

The competition on the tracks was tough, but Omolemo Phasha’s 25,94 seconds time in the 200 m for girls u/13 was enough to win her a gold medal ahead of Duané van der Merwe and Boitumelo Mahloko, who came second and third respectively.

Phasha said she was not carried away by her victory and vowed to work even harder to improve on her time. “I am happy with the gold medal and this will motivate me to push myself for even better time. I want to represent my province well and bring home the gold medal,” said the 13-year-old, who is a learner at Curro Heuwelkruin.

In another race, Karabo Maripa won the 1 500 m race for boys u/14 in a time of 4:50:85. His pace was too fast for second placed Marais Smith, who crossed the finish line a minute later, with third placed Stephan Visagie arriving half a minute later.

Hilda Molokomme from Mahlase Secondary School in Bochum won a gold medal in the 1 500 m for girls u/15. Pontsho Ngobeni from Hoërskool Piet Potgieter won the 1 500 m for boys u/15 ahead of the Northern Academy duo of Potego Mathabatha and Thabile Kekana who came second and third respectively.

The high jump for boys u/10 was dominated by Laerskool Pietersburg-Oos, and at the end, Bernick Bezuidenhout walked away with first prize, followed by his schoolmate Theuns Jooste. Ofentse Manyaka could only settle for a bronze medal.

The secondary schools national championships will be held in Potchefstroom, while the primary schools will battle it out in Johannesburg on dates yet to be announced.