29-06-2012, 08:05 AM
20 June 2012 - After the success and popularity of Hezekiel Sepengââ¬â¢s Street Athletics development project, another event is set to take place in Kagiso today with around 700 children from schools in the surrounding areas expected to compete.
The sole purpose of these events is to identify potential athletes who have never been exposed to competing in school teams. The events then take place in the streets in communities close to the kids as they often donââ¬â¢t have the facilities available to practise the sport.
The very first event with the inauguration of Street Athletics took place in Ikageng, Potchefstroom and then moved to Khutsong and Bekkersdal with the project becoming increasingly more popular and successful with every meeting.
Children that were identified through the project competed at the World Athletics Day in Pretoria with the youth squad that represented South Africa at the Southern Region Youth Championships in Zimbabwe. Some of the kids travelled to Durban to compete there as well.
ââ¬ÅWe have in the past focussed on the West Rand due to budget constraints, but will move to other provinces as soon as the funding is available,ââ¬Â said Sepeng, a former 800m Olympic silver medallist, about his project. ââ¬ÅWe will look at adding two extra provinces as part of the talent identification process.ââ¬Â
The event will take place in 7th Street in Rietvallei, Kagiso starting at 14:00. All athletes competing on the day will be provided transport to and from various schools, catering as well as Street Athletics T-shirts.
The sole purpose of these events is to identify potential athletes who have never been exposed to competing in school teams. The events then take place in the streets in communities close to the kids as they often donââ¬â¢t have the facilities available to practise the sport.
The very first event with the inauguration of Street Athletics took place in Ikageng, Potchefstroom and then moved to Khutsong and Bekkersdal with the project becoming increasingly more popular and successful with every meeting.
Children that were identified through the project competed at the World Athletics Day in Pretoria with the youth squad that represented South Africa at the Southern Region Youth Championships in Zimbabwe. Some of the kids travelled to Durban to compete there as well.
ââ¬ÅWe have in the past focussed on the West Rand due to budget constraints, but will move to other provinces as soon as the funding is available,ââ¬Â said Sepeng, a former 800m Olympic silver medallist, about his project. ââ¬ÅWe will look at adding two extra provinces as part of the talent identification process.ââ¬Â
The event will take place in 7th Street in Rietvallei, Kagiso starting at 14:00. All athletes competing on the day will be provided transport to and from various schools, catering as well as Street Athletics T-shirts.