New Track+Field broadcast opportunity launched in Bryanston

SuperSport hosted a lively launching pad for their new Track+Field schools’ athletics series at Decathlon in Bryanston.

Top performing junior athletes from across Gauteng were invited to participate in the event on July 25, towards laying the cornerstone to the broadcast series which will see their athletic progress innovatively televised.

Track+Field co-founder Mathew Quinn celebrated how the series follows similar launched ventures – such as Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track league starting in 2025, and the women’s only Athlos track showpiece expected to debut in September.

Naming track and field, ‘the greatest sport in the world, which challenges you on different levels’, Quinn spoke about what inspired the exploration towards creating a national championship platform through which South Africa can identify the number one schools for athletics, and athletes to represent the country.

“We’ve got such great depth, and participation at the school level, but there isn’t a competition like this,” Quinn said. “In the past, we’ve had events that have one event in Cape Town, another in Joburg, and athletes had to travel. Now, we’ll be going to all nine provinces, hosting championships from January to near the end of March – where winners will be crowned, and we’ll bring [everyone] up for a grand finale.”

Head of marketing at SuperSport Ryan Cumming confirmed the booming interest in track and field, basing his reflection on the keen engagement observed from a viewership perspective.

“Throughout 2024, we’ve seen 5.2M views from athletics: we also know that participation on the ground at these events is unmatched,” Cumming stated. “I think [what’s] interesting is that for the first time, we’ve been able to broadcast SA school’s record-breaking events. I think it gives individual athletes, and schools, the opportunity to aspire to be great within the athletics environment. We’re looking forward to what track and field has to offer.”

The launch event of the Track+Field series was further characterised by a plenary discussion hosted by the event’s MC, sports broadcast presenter Thato Moeng. Joining Cumming and Quinn was the president of Athletics South Africa, James Moloi, and junior track and field rising star, Rand Park High School Grade 9 learner, Oluchi Ndubueze.

Oluchi recalled beginning her athletics career at the age of six, and what athletic participation means for her.

“Honestly, because I was running away from dogs. Once I got to the track, I fell in love, and I couldn’t go back,” Oluchi said. “I enjoy the feeling of being on the track, feeling the fresh air on my face, running by myself, and knowing that what I’ve achieved is a result of my hard work. I want to see the extent to which I can push my body, and I love how athletics is all about hard work.

“Four more years, sir,” Oluchi concluded, indicating how much longer she had to wait ahead of becoming eligible to represent South Africa at the next Olympics.

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