Schools say Lim Athletics is a no-go
Sports MEC Onicca Moloi said they value the important role of school sport in the province and will attempt to find a solution.
POLOKWANE – Limpopo Schools Athletics will have to up their game as several schools have decided to withdraw from its annual schools meet, saying it is simply in a disarray and has been for years.
Last year’s Limpopo Schools Athletics (Limsa) Championships saw several schools withdrawing after the event failed to start at the specified time, resulting in the entire programme running late.
Another issue was that of schools being added to the programme at the last minute, and events that were not organised properly.
Some schools chose to instead make use of the Limpopo Athletics (Lima) system, which is a private athletics body.
Athletes can still qualify for South African Athletics Championships by means of a club structure, through the Lima championships.
One of the many schools which opted for the Lima system, is Hoërskool Pietersburg (PHS), a school that produces some of the province’s top athletes.
Read more:
PHS to withdraw from Limpopo Athletics events after chaos
Tom Naudé Technical High School also confirmed its withdrawal from Limsa.
Last year, PHS Principal Willie Schoeman said it was simply unacceptable that athletes should be subjected to the chaos that has become a trademark of Limsa events.
The Spokesperson for Education, Dr Naledzani Rasila said they were working with the Department of Sport to look for solutions.
Sports MEC Onicca Moloi said they value the important role of school sport in the province and will attempt to find a solution.
“We will be working on strengthening coordination among all stakeholders to ensure there is better synergy,” she added.
The drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the departments is at an advanced stage.
“Once completed the MOU will provide clear guidelines to all stakeholders and will certainly take school sport to its highest level,” according to Moloi.
Another aim of the agreement is to align school sports programmes that currently exist within the two departments in order to enhance better coordination.
She said they were also looking towards public private partnerships in school sport, which will further strengthen its efficiency.
“Currently, schools are participating in athletics at cluster and circuit levels, and these activities will ultimately move to district and provincial levels. I have an open-door policy and am prepared to sit down with all stakeholders to exchange ideas and suggestions on how to improve and promote sport in the province.”
She said Wednesdays have been declared as school sports days, a decision aimed at promoting learner involvement in sport.
“The training of almost 1 000 coaches and technical officials who will mentor learners is already underway, to ensure we don’t place to burden on our teachers,” she added.
