Varsity Athletics adds R50 000 incentive for first meet

Varsity Sports has tabled an amount of R50.000 to be shared among athletes who break a South African athletics record on the night. Thus, if two records are broken, each athlete who achieved this feat will receive R25.000. Wimpy, one of the sponsors of the event, will also contribute R5000 to each athlete who breaks a record.

“The financial incentive is just another way we try to assist athletes in their quest to be counted as some of the best in the world. Exposure on TV is great, but we feel that we have to go one step further and help athletes who might not be as established,” explains Varsity Sports CEO Duitser Bosman.
Akani Simbine, Rikenette Steenkamp, Wayde van Niekerk and Caster Semenya are just some of the athletes headlining the first meeting where eight of South Africa’s top universities will compete. These meets offer young athletes the chance to prepare for some of the other events around the world this year and, in the greater scheme of things, the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“The preparations are going well. We will be using the meeting as more of a build-up to bigger events, but we know that it is going to be competitive and have a great vibe. It is a great opportunity for us to see where we are,” said Semenya.
Simbine, who will run for defending champions Tuks, said he is looking forward to the competition.
“There is an awesome vibe at the Varsity Athletics meetings. The hype and vibe is unique and gives you that extra boost to give it your all. I am really looking forward to the travelling – I love travelling – and renewing the friendships I made at the previous event,” he stated.

The action will be broadcast live on SuperSport 210, starting at 18:00 on Tuesday, 24 March. After Potchefstroom, the event will move on to Stellenbosch in April where the final, overall winner will be decided.