There is a saying that goes: Give people their flowers while they are still alive; Norman Ontong of Fit2Run should receive his bunch soon.<\/p>\n
The former teacher, rugby player, Comrades and 2 Oceans runner has been involved in this non-profit organisation, which aims to uplift aspiring athletes in the Breede River Valley.<\/p>\n
Ontong, the face of the organisation that shaped and formed current South African 3 000 m steeplechase champion Chenique Sas, says he does it all with love.<\/p>\n
He says the establishment of the organisation stems from the idea to give children who hail from underprivileged communities the opportunity to compete on regional, provincial and even national level.<\/p>\n
In his coaching work Ontong has had to be a safe haven for his athletes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to play different roles to these children,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
This is qualified by Sas herself, who shared that Ontong has been \u201ceverything\u201d in her life.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has supported and showed up for me on many different levels,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
However, the athletes\u2019 achievements do not come easily.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a huge problem with funds and we can\u2019t rely on parents to get the athletes to competitions,\u201d Ontong points out.<\/p>\n
Coupled with that, there is no support from the Athletics Federation.<\/p>\n
Ontong coaches the group of athletes daily from 17:00 at no cost.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t ask for a fee, because these children come from underprivileged communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
The only form of funding the organisation depends on is a WhatsApp group called Friends of Fit2Run, which comprises Ontong\u2019s friends.<\/p>\n
Despite all the financial constrains, the athletes affiliated to the organisation, keep him going.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey work hard and make all of this worthwhile,\u201d Ontong said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are agile and perfect the steeple jumps because they grow up playing all sorts of games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking on the vision of the organisation and whether they have reached their goal, he says: \u201cAt the beginning we struggled to get medals at athletics meetings, but now we are on track. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur athletes also get better recognition in terms of attending schools that can offer them better opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
To make a contribution to Fit2Run, Ontong can be contacted on 083 398 5922.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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