Roodepoort athlete receives once in a lifetime opportunity
Hard work and dedication pay off
A 15-year-old athlete has been offered an opportunity of a lifetime, having been selected to compete in Europe.
Thato Mashego is a Grade 10 learner at Hoërskool Roodepoort and has been participating in athletics for the past seven years.
During this time, he has been selected for the Gauteng team four times, and been part of the Provincial schools team for the past two years.
He now has the opportunity to compete at the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) Split Seconds Elite Athletics tour in July.
This tour is aimed at developing athletes at the highest level while being trained by some of the best coaches in South Africa. He was identified by a panel of athlete-specific selectors, and is one of only a few athletes who have been given this unique opportunity.
For Thato, it is an indescribable feeling to know that his hard work has finally paid off, and he said, “It feels great to know I was selected to compete overseas. I did not think I would have been able to achieve this goal at such an early stage in my life.”
Thato has managed to get this far without the help of a professional trainer, and said, “If it was not for my school coach, older brother, hard work and dedication, I would not have come this far.”
He added that he could not list any one particular reason for his decision to become an athlete, and described it as follows:
“My passion and love for sports was the main reason, but the joy that the environment, while running, brings to your heart, was a close second. The supporters also make the track feel your home, a place where you belong.”
For Thato, it would mean the world to be able to be part of this tour, but the costs are very high, and, if he does not receive some help in the form of donations, he might not be able to go. “The tour costs about R38 000 and without some help, I will not be able to realise my dream,” he said.
Thato concluded by saying, “This opportunity would mean that I have managed to achieve one of my primary goals at a very young age, showing people that your biggest dreams are achievable.”
For more information, contact Kabelo Mashego by sending an email to kabelo.a.mashego@gmail.com.
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