Olympic legends hold coaching clinic for youngsters
Two South African Olympians spent some time with the youth of Mohlakeng during a coaching clinic recently.
A coaching clinic for youngsters was recently held at the Patrick Ace Ntsoelengoe Stadium in Mohlakeng by former Olympians Hezekiel Sepeng and Bobang Phiri.
The coaching clinic followed a series of others held at the Westonaria Sports Complex on 3 February, the Greenhills Stadium on 10 February and Mohlakeng on 18 February.
Both Olympic legends covered the basics of warming up before an event. Bobang then focused on sprinting and field events while Hezekiel handled long- and middle-distance running.
“We are delighted at the turnout of 80 kids from our Team Baobab Athletics Club and Hartzstreet Primary School from Toekomsrus. It was indeed a joyous moment the young ones will not forget. Most of them were not even born when Hezekiel and Bobs were at their peak,” said Paseka Mabote, coach at Baobab Athletics Club.
Hezekiel, a middle-distance runner, took part in the Commonwealth Games in England, where he won a silver medal. Two years later, in 1995, he won a gold medal at the World Championship in Rome. Then in 1996, he won SA’s only silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta by finishing second in the 800 metres. His time of 1:42:86 also set a new South African record. Four years later, Hezekiel was a flag-bearer at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney and managed seventh place.
Bobang is a retired sprinter who specialised in the 400 metres and competed in three consecutive Summer Olympic Games starting in 1992.
“Clinics are important and kids can only benefit from them. We are looking to get more youngsters to join the clinics where they can further develop.
Who knows, some of them might have exceptional talent and they may go on to represent the country at major sporting events in future,” said Hezekiel who is a Development Officer at Athletics South Africa.
Bobang added, “This came at the right time as the school athletics season is under way.”
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