Louis Bates of Laerskool Breyten follows in his father’s footsteps
Additionally, Bates was chosen this year to serve as chairman of the Gert Sibande Athletics Primary Schools too.
Louis Bates jnr from Laerskool Breyten was elected as AMSEC’s (Athletics Mpumalanga Schools Executive Committee) new chairman on August 18.
AMSEC is in charge of Mpumalanga Athletics and cross-country for primary, secondary, and special schools.
Additionally, Bates was chosen this year to serve as chairman of the Gert Sibande Athletics Primary Schools too.
He had also served as the chairman of Mpumalanga Cross Country for eight years in which time, he hosted the South African Cross Country Championships in White River in 2016 and 2019 respectively.
Bates was also a technical official at the Cape Town Senior ASA South African event, where he oversaw the discus throw and pole vault events.
During his election, ten delegates from four districts served as scrutineers during the process, together with Thuli Nagel, the Director of Currucilum Sport and Culture, Dr Sipho Mandlazi, of the Department of Sport, and the sports directors from the four respective districts.
The director expressed her confidence in Bates’ election.
“We wish him the best of luck in his four-year assignment,” the director said.
Bates urges the province’s schools to use him in arranging and presenting their events, saying he is pleased to assist wherever he can.
He also said schools should recognise and develop gifted athletes for the benefit of himself/herself and the province.
Bates is following in the footsteps of his father, Louis Bates snr who was a founding member and the first chairman of AMSEC and the former principal of Laerskool Breyten.
