Ekasi Athletics competition a success

St Athanasius Christian School hosted the Ekasi Athletic Competition at the Phomolong Sports Grounds on February 22. Various private schools took part, snatching prizes, trophies and medals.

Phomolong home-based school, Asamaths Tembisa, Asamaths Pretoria, Busy Bee School, Link Field Combined School and Shining Stars school took part in the event.

Sports coordinator Qaphelani Moyo said the event was meant to give children a sense of purpose and to discourage them from using drugs and to aimlessly roam the streets.

“We want to motivate them to be active in sports, education and mental fitness,” said Moyo.

“This is our first-time event. We would like to invite sponsors to sustain this project,” added Moyo.

Links Field Combined School sports master Sihlangu Hlongwa said the aim of competing was to instill a sense of purpose among learners.

“The aim is to give hope and prepare learners for a better future,” said Hlongwa.

Athletes between the ages of seven and 13 took part in the 100m and 200m events.

Linksfield seemed poised to dominate the race in the boys’ section but dropped the ball to share fourth place with Busy Bee at 111 points.

Asamaths Pretoria and St Athanasius came second and third respectively with 167 and 145 points. The overall victors were Asamaths Tembisa with 175 points.

The event also created a platform for local business people to sell their wares and Asamaths Institute of Learning tuckshop was not left out.

Food vendor Hlengiwe Ndhlovu said: “I am happy we had good sales and had fun while watching learners competing.”

Bafana Sinothando, a teacher at Asamaths, said the learners showed the spirit of competing and these kinds of events teaches them to socialise.

“It teaches them discipline, control of their emotions and to improve their social skills,” Sinothando said.