Athletics South Africa to host provincial championships this weekend

ASA have designated 14-15 March as the official dates for these annual events.

Athletes will compete for a chance to qualify for the ASA Senior Track and Field Championships, set to take place in Potchefstroom from 24-26 April.

Following the provincial championships, each province will announce their team to represent them at the national competition in North West next month.

One of the top provinces, Athletics Gauteng North (AGN), will hold its championships at Pilditch Stadium on Friday and Saturday.

Top athletes, including, Olympic long jumper Jovan van Vuuren, Sinesipho Dambile, Bayanda Walaza, the Under-20 100m and 200m champion, Marione Fourie, national 110m hurdles record holder, Gift Leotlela, and Emile Erasmus—who is making his return to the track after a two-and-a-half-year injury layoff—are among the standout names set to compete in the annual event in the capital city.

The University of Johannesburg’s athletics stadium will play host to the Central Gauteng Athletics event this Friday and Saturday.

The event will feature a talented lineup, including national 100m record holder Akani Simbine, national 10km record holder Precious Mashele, up-and-coming sprinter Karabo Letebele, Kyle Blignaut, South African shot-put champion, Cian Oldknow, Cacisile Sosibo, Cheswill Johnson, national long jump champion, Ryan Mphahlele former 800m national champion, world Under-20 400m champion Udeme Okon, and many other top athletes showcasing their skills by the dam over the weekend.

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Athletics South Africa (ASA) president James Moloi called on athletes to seize the opportunity and compete for provincial bragging rights over the weekend.

Having served as CGA president for eight years, Moloi emphasized the significance of participating in the provincial championships.

“This is a key chance to qualify for the national championships and assess athletes’ readiness for the season. It’s mandatory for all athletes to participate in these events. Provinces are responsible for sending teams to the national championships, and without these competitions, how can they select their athletes?” Moloi said.

“It’s going to be a busy weekend with championships happening across the country. All the top athletes from each province will be there, pushing one another to perform their best,” he added in an interview with SABC Sport.