THE Royal Striders Athletic Club in Ndabakazi hopes that next year, the Mnquma area will host more than five race events and that the number of athletes participating in these events will increase.
Lulama Tase, an organiser from the Royal Striders Athletic Club, stated that the club aims to have numerous race events, just like before the outbreak of COVID-19. Tase conveyed to Mthatha Express their plans to organise many running competitions in Mnquma to keep athletes active.
“Before COVID-19, we used to have more than six or seven race competitions every year, but now we are left with only two annual competitions, which are the Wayside Hotel 5km and Spargs SuperSpar 5km,” said Tase.
He mentioned that next year, they need to find a way to approach their previous sponsors, who supported their competitions before COVID-19 and also strive to attract new sponsors who will contribute to the development of athletics in Mnquma.
Furthermore, Tase highlighted the need for more athletes at their annual events. Although athletes turned out in significant numbers during the Wayside Hotel 5km and Spargs SuperSpar 5km events, they still needed more athletes to show up and compete in these competitions.
In both recent running competitions, more than 150 athletes participated, ranging from young to old.
Tase stated that these running events help divert youth from drugs, offering them an opportunity to showcase their talent.
He concluded by expressing pride in Real Gijimas athlete, Yanga Malusi, who is a product of these competitions.
Today, Malusi competes in national events against the best and holds the record in Mnquma for winning the Spargs SuperSpar 5km race for eight successive years.
