Athletics Central North West (ACNW) hosted a successful interprovincial athletics meeting on Saturday, 27 February, with athletes from ACNW, Athletics Free State and Griquas competing at the NWU McArthur stadium. ACNW took first place, Free State second and Griquas third at the event, held under Covid-19 regulations. Athletes battled it out in the sweltering heat and showcased good form in the first interprovincial athletics meeting in SA this year.

Local ACNW athletes who shone were Joné Kruger in the women’s 25 long jump with a leap of 5.95 metres. Jamoré Oliver also dominated the girls 16 shotput event, throwing a superb 14.80-metre distance. Olivier beat the closest competitor by almost three metres in a breathtaking display of technique and power.

Riandi Boshoff (ACNW) also showed good form in the women’s 18 discus event, with a throw of 43.46 metres to take first place. Two other Gimmies who impressed were javelin throwers, Lee-Ann Grobbelaar (girls 18) and Amé Keyser (girls 16), who took first places. Grobbelaar won with a distance of 42.30 metres, with Keyser hitting a distance of 37.38 metres.

In the men’s 25 100 m and 200 m sprint, Lucky Moleyane (AFS) took the spoils with two top runs. In the 100 m, he bested Theodor Young in a close finish, recording a time of 10.51. In the 200 metres, Moleyane took first in a time of 21.23.In the middle and long-distance events, Abrie Kruger of ACNW took first in the men’s 25, 800 metres event in 1:52.39.

Here are the results:

Danielle Verster of Gimmies and ACNW also enjoyed success in the women’s 20 800 m and 1500 m event with two first places. Verster completed the 1,500 metres in 04:42.19 and the 800 metres in 2:15.43.

The president of ACNW, Jean Verster, also commented on the day’s success with around 500 athletes competing at the event. “It was great to see athletes back in action. Some athletes had their first meeting on Saturday. We also had top schools like Grey College and Voortrekker (Bethlehem) at the event. We want to continue hosting events with unions who have not had a lot of opportunities to compete this year,” added Verster.

Another interprovincial event is on the cards on 24 April, focusing on the sub-youth (age 8–15) category. An ACNW Sub-Youth Championships event will take place at the NWU McArthur Stadium on Saturday, 6 March, to determine selection for the interprovincial event in April.