24 Aug 2017

Principal programmes officer at Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development for Kgalagadi South, Saziba Mphali has encouraged athletes competing at the recently introduced

Constituency Athletics Competitions to exercise and train harder to boost their endurance and fitness levels.

Speaking after athletics competitions on Saturday, Mphali said that were worried that some athletes collapsed during the sub-district meet in Tsabong recently.

He added that was clear indication that contestants disregarded the need to engage in rigorous training and other preparatory routine.

“During the sub-district competitions, we were compelled to rush a number of them who collapsed on the field to the hospital.

The possibility of the affected athletes suffering from other ailments was ruled out but it was apparent that their bodies were not used to arduous physical exertions,” he said.

Most of them, he said displayed rustiness and that showed a majority had since left track and field events upon completion of their secondary education studies.

Thus, he encouraged athletes to also change for the better if they were to prosper in competitive athletics.

Meanwhile, the officer has also  expressed disappointment at spectators’ turnout despite having done everything to publicise the event.

“We utilised numerous platforms to advertise the district competitions.

A day before the event, a public announcement was made and public notices were also placed in prime areas in Tsabong,” he added.

Mphali was of the view that people were propbably put off by the fact that athletes were not professionals.

As such, Mphali encouraged the public to embrace the constituency competitions because they economically empowered entrants and kept youth away from waywardness.

A total of 45 athletes, 24 from the Hukuntsi Sub-district and 21 from Tsabong Sub-district, competed in the track and field events.

However, he said 31 would represent Kgalagadi in the southern part regional finals to be held in Molepolole this weekend.

Meanwhile, Mphali said he was confident that the team they had assembled would produce results in Molepolole, particularly in the 5000m, 100m races. BOPABy Tebogo Kgathileng

TSABONG - Principal programmes officer at Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development for Kgalagadi South, Saziba Mphali has encouraged athletes competing at the recently introduced Constituency Athletics Competitions to exercise and train harder to boost their endurance and fitness levels.

Speaking after athletics competitions on Saturday, Mphali said that were worried that some athletes collapsed during the sub-district meet in Tsabong recently.

He added that was clear indication that contestants disregarded the need to engage in rigorous training and other preparatory routine.

“During the sub-district competitions, we were compelled to rush a number of them who collapsed on the field to the hospital.

The possibility of the affected athletes suffering from other ailments was ruled out but it was apparent that their bodies were not used to arduous physical exertions,” he said.

Most of them, he said displayed rustiness and that showed a majority had since left track and field events upon completion of their secondary education studies.

Thus, he encouraged athletes to also change for the better if they were to prosper in competitive athletics.

Meanwhile, the officer has also  expressed disappointment at spectators’ turnout despite having done everything to publicise the event.

“We utilised numerous platforms to advertise the district competitions.

A day before the event, a public announcement was made and public notices were also placed in prime areas in Tsabong,” he added.

Mphali was of the view that people were propbably put off by the fact that athletes were not professionals.

As such, Mphali encouraged the public to embrace the constituency competitions because they economically empowered entrants and kept youth away from waywardness.

A total of 45 athletes, 24 from the Hukuntsi Sub-district and 21 from Tsabong Sub-district, competed in the track and field events.

However, he said 31 would represent Kgalagadi in the southern part regional finals to be held in Molepolole this weekend.

Meanwhile, Mphali said he was confident that the team they had assembled would produce results in Molepolole, particularly in the 5000m, 100m races. ENDS