UJ to host second Varsity Athletics meet

This will be the second time in as many years that UJ will hold the event, after persistent rain hampered the resurfacing of the track at North West University in Potchefstroom.

The top athletes from each of South Africa’s eight leading sporting universities will now do battle at the 8 000-seater UJ Stadium in Westdene.

Reigning national 10km road champion, Jeromy Andreas will be hoping to repeat his home ground triumph after winning the 3000m event there last year.

Andreas will line up for the 5000m this year, after finishing sixth over that distance at the World Student Games in Russia last year.

Fellow UJ middle-distance runner, Caroline Marandela who scooped the women’s 3000m race in the opening meeting at the NMMU Stadium in Port Elizabeth, could make an impact in the 1500m.

Also looking to do their university proud will be women’s shot put national champion Lezaan Jordaan and SA U23 discus titleholder Dewald van Heerden.

According to the university’s sports events manager, Niamh Faherty organisers of the high-profile series tried to rotate venues to ensure that all eight participating universities had an equal chance to host the event.

“UJ hosted one of the events in the inaugural series last year, but we are happy to assist Pukke with their dilemma,” said Faherty. “We have a great facility and a very competent team that has experience in hosting this world-class event and making it spectacular viewing.”

Faherty said the action-packed two-hour SuperSport broadcast would commence at 6pm.

“The curtain-raisers start at 5pm with all the fun, flair and fireworks supporters have come to expect.”

Details: www.varsitysportssa.com