Sport plays a vital role in athlete’s life
An athlete whose first love is cycling, Nare Magama Makgakga, says he wants to explore more of the world of sports and leave his mark before calling it quits
POLOKWANE – An athlete whose first love is cycling, Nare Magama Makgakga, says he wants to explore more of the world of sports and leave his mark before calling it quits.
The 32-year old man is a Correctional Services officer in the department’s Polokwane management area and he holds a diploma in security risk management obtained from the University of South Africa (UNISA).
Makgakga is married to Noria and they are blessed with two boys, Letago and Penyo. He says when he first started running and cycling in 2005, it was about keeping fit.
“My best race was the 15 km Aganang Mayoral Cycling Race, where I finished in first place in a time of 25:00. I also finished first in the 35 km Polokwane Game Reserve Mountain Bike Race,” Makgakga says.
He says participating in his first Comrades Marathon in Durban last year inspired him to continue running. “I have seven Bill Rowan medals and one silver medal for the Comrades Marathon. My wish is to participate in the London Marathon,” he says.
“I’ve been inspired by national athletes, Ramie and David Tsebe. What they have accomplished serves as my motivation,” Makgagka says.
Makgakga admits that striking the right balance between work, family and sport is not easy, as all require dedication.
“It is very important to participate in sport and it plays a vital role in my life. I need to be physically fit as my job requires physically fit people.”
His advice to people: “if you want to do things, don’t allow anything to stop you”. He further encourages young people to rather participate in sport than turn to substance abuse and crime.
His answer to the question of when he will retire is simple: “I will quit when I feel like my legs can’t hold my body any longer”.
