Potchefstroom to host the historic Athletics Gold Label meeting in April

Athletics South Africa (ASA) President James Moloi is excited about the New Year, with a couple of track meetings set to take place in the country.

The national athletics federation received the right to host the Gold Label meeting by World Athletics for the first time.

ASA and Athletics Central North West are working with the World Athletics to finalize the details.

The cream of the crop in world athletics from the USA, Great Britain, Bahamas, Brazil, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Jamaica, to mention a few, will gather in the home of athletics in the North West province.

“We communicate regularly with World Athletics and Athletics Central North West to discuss the plans to host the big event in April. World Athletics is happy with our efforts, and we picked Potchefstroom because of the massive support they get each time they host athletics events. The support they get there is amazing. The biggest names in world athletics are coming to South Africa to compete against our athletes, and it cannot get bigger than that,” an excited Moloi told the national broadcaster.

Last year, Moloi and his team introduced three Grand Prix Series meetings in three cities, which was an overwhelming success.

This year, the ambitious ASA boss wanted to add two more meetings to give the athletes more opportunities to qualify for the World Athletics Championships from 19-27 August 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. But after consulting with his board, they decided to keep the series at three meetings to avoid overloading the athletes.

The year will start with the much-anticipated SA Athletics Awards ceremony at the Thaba Echo Resort in Johannesburg on 27 January.

Last year, the awards failed to materialize due to a lack of sponsorship in November 2022.

But it’s all systems that go for the senior and junior athletes to get recognition from the national federation for the first time.

Other sporting codes, such as football, cricket, and rugby, reward their athletes annually, and ASA is now following in their footsteps.

“Finally, the awards are happening, and we are excited and want to put in a good show. We want to award our athletes for their style. Watch the guest list. We have invited big names as this is our inaugural awards ceremony. It’s a red-carpet affair. We will pull out all the stops to bring you an unforgettable ceremony, and this is history in the making,” Moloi explained.

In April, ASA will host the SA Senior Track and Field Championships at the Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane for the athletes to make the final attempt to qualify for the World Championships in Hungary before the start of the European meetings.

South Africa failed to collect a medal at the two previous World Championships in Doha and the USA in 2019 and 2022.

But Moloi and his board are working hard to prevent another massive disappointment on the world stage.

“We are doing our level best to make sure we return from Budapest with a medal, and our biggest hope rests on SA 100m record holder Akani Simbine. We hope he can secure a podium finish without putting too much pressure on himself or other athletes.

Akani must get that elusive world medal, and we wish him well as we are working hard with the athletes and coaches to avoid another embarrassment at the World Championships,” Moloi added.

By Charles Baloyi