MUST READ: Michael Seme to head KZN Athletics

He is an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Level 5 qualified coach, who specialises in coaching middle and long-distance runners, therefore a great deal of hope has been placed on Seme's shoulders.

November 18, 2017

Quinton Boucher 2 minutes read

Michael Seme will be in charge of KwaZulu-Natal Athletics, as its senior coach.

KwaZulu-Natal Athletics has put on its best running shoes for the upcoming sports year, welcoming Michael Seme as the province’s newest senior coach.

Seme is known for having coached some of the best runners in South Africa, such as Caster Semenya, Steven Mokoka, Gladwin Mzazi and Nkosinathi Sibiya.

He is an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Level 5 qualified coach, who specialises in coaching middle and long-distance runners, therefore a great deal of hope has been placed on Seme’s shoulders.

Hailing from oSizweni, Newcastle, Seme was introduced to the KZN Province at Majuba Lodge on Wednesday morning.

“I am pleased to join the KZN athletics family, as I have longed to come back and help develop sport here at home.”

Returning to his roots, Seme said his greatest dream was to see athletics prosper in the province and help produce world class athletes.

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“With the expertise I have, and the experience I have gathered through the years, I believe we can unite towards working hard to achieve that dream,” Seme said. President of KwaZulu-Natal Athletics, Sello Mokoena, emphasised the impact Seme’s presence would make. “This means great prospects for athletics in the province next year.”

Based on KZN Athletic’s statistical analysis of athlete performance, approximately 60 per cent of the province’s top eight performers, at the past national championships, were middle and long-distance runners.

“Strategies had to be put into place to convert these finalists into medal contenders and medal winners in the future. As KZN Athletics needed to appoint a candidate who was a proven leader in the distance events, Michael Seme was the best choice,” Mokoena said.

Furthermore, Mokoena believed it was of the utmost importance to focus on training school learners, as well as involving more female runners. Through channelling children’s skills and talents, and ensuring the foundation phase was seen to, while focusing on gender equality, Mokoena believed KZN had what it took to provide medal winners.