Byline: Andani Matumba
09 March 2022
The Mpumalanga Provincial Athletics Championship meeting was held at Lilian Ngoyi Stadium in Secunda on 04 March 2022 wherein over 100 participants from all the districts within Mpumalanga Province were competing to reserve their seats in the Mpumalanga teams.
According to Andries Burger who is Mpumalanga Championships Meeting Manager, the purpose of the meeting was to choose teams that will represent the Province in the National Championships.
“Even if the participants win, it does not automatically qualify them in the provincial teams.
They have to obtain a certain number of points so that they can go through to the nationals”, Burger said.
He further stated that although some of the learners joined the competition through their respective schools and wore the school colours at the meeting, they still represent themselves as an individual.
Although most of the leading competitors were from Hoërskool Nelspruit, Hoërskool Secunda and Hoër Tegniese Skool Middleburg fought for their space within the teams.
The composition of the teams were as follows:
Mpumalanga team – under 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19 and to represent Mpumalanga in the upcoming championships in Potchefstroom;
Mpumalanga Schools Team – under 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19 which is to represent Mpumalanga in the upcoming championships in Germiston; and
Mpumalanga Senior Team – 20 and above which will be heading to Cape Town for Nationals.
One of the outstanding record breakers was a girl from Middleburg, Lika Olivie, who is also a learner from Hoërskool Tegniese Skool.
She secured her gold medal in the 800 meters track race for Girls Under 17 by leaving a distance of about 30 meters between herself and the competitor who came second place being Mia Steenkamp from Hoërskool Ermelo.
Burger further stated that practice, determination, and dedication are key if the participants wish to succeed in track athletics.
A list of the team qualifying for Nationals will be released soon.
