By Atiso Molefe.
Photo Credit: Pixall Sport.
Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) hosted the 2021 Sub Youth Inter Provincial Championships on Saturday, 27 November 2021 at Germiston Athletics Stadium.
Nine other athletics provinces accepted the invite and send teams to compete at the championships with a clear aim of giving developing athletes an opportunity to compete between the age group of 7 to 13 years. These championships did not happen in 2020 due to Covi19 pandemic and the athletics family was very excited to be able to host these championships again.
Over 700 athletes from various provinces participated at the championships intending to better their previous performances of 2019 Inter–Provincial Championships and determined to set new performance standards in their respect age groups.
The overcast day started well for Phenyoentle Miyen of Central Gauteng, who secured a gold medal in the boys U13 running a distance of 200m huddles clocking the time of 24.70 to break the 2019 record of 27.14 which was set by Christiaan van den Bergh of Central North West (ACNW) at Sasolburg. “I was shocked to hear that l broke the record but as for me l was just showcasing my talent and giving all l have,” said Miyen at the post event interview.
One of the hottest events that got the spectators to rise from stands was the Boys under 13 battle in the 100m sprint. Jayden Parken of Free State raced to a convincing victory equivalent to the previous record of Wally Ungerer of Vaal Triangle who set the record in 2008 in the time of 11:40.
Another stunning performance was the Girls under 11 in the 80m event, which saw Dena van der Merwe of Gauteng North clinching the first podium position clocking 10:10. She ripped off 37 seconds of her fellow provincial athlete and record holder Bruyn Nicola who set the record in 2010 in the time of 10.47 at Germiston Stadium.
The field event performances did not disappoint as Lune Coetzee of Kwa–Zulu Natal dominated the Girls under 9 Turbo Javelin event with the best attempt of 21.00m. She was followed by a strong challenge of Cleadon van Rooyen of Gauteng North who settled for the second podium place with 17.25m heave. Another highlight was the Shot Put throw by Chris–Mari Bezuidenhout of Mpumalanga who won the event in a distance of 13.54m.
Free State conquered the first spot on the medal tally and successfully dominated the medal tally with an overall of 15 medals (gold 8, silver 2, and bronze 5 medals). While AGN claim second position with a total of 23 medal (gold 7, silver 9 and bronze 7 medals). The hosting province CGA showcased a very strong competition which ended up securing the third position on the medal tally with a total of 16 medals (gold 6, silver 7 and bronze 3 medals).
During the morning overcast, the afternoon was marked with a consistent rain which led to the Organising committee and CGA Track and Field Commission deciding to cancel the programme just before the finals of the 80m, 100m and 1500m and some of the field events. This decision was very critical as the safe of our young talent is important.
“Unfortunately weather conditions were unfavourable to continue with the championships, we had to consider the safety of our athletes first which was even difficult for us to stop the event.” said Maggie Dicks, CGA Track and Field Chairperson during the post championships interview.
She also announced that the 2022 Sub Youth Inter–Provincial Championships will be hosted by Athletics Mpumalanga