EASTERN CAPE TO HOST NATIONAL SPORT EVENT

The Walter Sisulu University, Potsdam site will from the 1st of October 2022 host a national sports event under the South African Athletics (SASA).

Mpho Ngoma from the Department of Education’s Learner Enrichment Programs, was at the local organization committee meeting in preparation for the provincial and national cross country that will be held at Potsdam WSU sports grounds.

“As Eastern Cape stakeholders, we are here with SASA to plan this event. The 30th of September is the expected arrival of provinces and the 1st October kick-starts the cross country. The preparations are halfway through, we will be focusing on mainstream and special schools to be part of this initiative”.

Vuyo Sitoto, the chairperson for cross country and border athletics, said that they are ready to support the national school’s athletics. “Even though we are not the main stake holders but because it is happening in our federation and province, we are here to provide guidance in everything. SASA is responsible for recruitments and they have their own technical officials who are qualified in this area. There are trials going on that will make the final team across the country which has been communicated accordingly”.

Nomonde Macross, general secretary of Eastern SASA confirmed that they are hosting the Eastern Cape school’s cross country and the SASA cross country that deals with children from age 10-19 in private, public and special schools. “We believe this initiative will enhance the love of athleticism with children. This might also shed a little light to the recent tragedies that our province face such as the Nyobeni tavern incident. We want children to see that sport passion will help them identified by institutions that will assist them over various aspects of life and we plead with parent to support sport talent within their children and not just academics. Having parents attending games is motivation to the children.”