Schools gear up for athletics competitions

As part of preparations for the Games which will see more than 10 secondary schools from across the country competing, Usher High School held their inter-house competitions on Saturday.

Sharon House came first after getting 14 gold medals, 11 silver and 14 bronze while Dolman was second with 13 gold, eight silver and nine bronze with Coutts finishing third after managing to bag 12 gold, nine silver and seven bronze.

Clark settled for fourth position with five gold, nine silver and nine bronze. Benson was last managing only three gold, three silver and eight bronze.

Thando Ndlovu, the Usher High School sports director, was happy with the athletes’ performance and said they are geared up for the SASA Games.

“As a school we are excited that we are playing host to these competitions. The athletes did their best and we are very grateful to the parents who came to lend support to the children.

“Sports play a vital part in terms of development of pupil mentally and physically. It is our hope that our athletes will do well at the SASA Games and as Usher we are ready,” Ndlovu said.

Some of the athletes who will represent Usher at the Thursday Games include Sukoluhle Dube who came first in the 100m of the Under-14 competition in 15.36 seconds. She beat Samantha Ndebele who came second in 15.56 seconds while Lindiwe Siziba settled for third in 16.06 seconds.

Rachel Mudenda who won the 100m of the Under-16 category in 14.20 seconds, Jessica Moyo winner of the Under-18 in 13.02 seconds and Nokuthula Mpofu who came first in 13.94 seconds in the Under-20 will represent Usher at the Games.

Meanwhile, Reigate District is gearing up for its inaugural inter-schools cross-country and track and field competitions starting on Thursday at Luveve High School.

Cowdray Park, Sobukhazi, Luveve, Entumbane, St Columbus, Mzilikazi, Northlea and Emakhandeni make up the district.

Previously, these schools were competing from different zones until this year.

On Thursday the schools will converge at Luveve High for the cross-country event and the following day the schools will battle it out in the track and field events at Northlea High School.

The most outstanding athletes will represent the district during the inter-district competitions later this term.

Cowdray High headmaster Phineas Benjamin Ndlovu is hopeful that his school will do better this year although traditional schools like Mzilikazi and Sobukhazi are a stumbling block.

“We are a young school and we have been improving over the years although our record in athletics is not impressive,” he said.

Team Usher

100m

Under-14: Sukoluhle Dube, Samantha Ndebele, Lindiwe Siziba

Under-16: Rachel Mudenda, Ashly Madziba, Mitchelle Mulophe

Under-18: Jessica Moyo, Nobukhosi Dube, Sisasenkosi

Under-20: Nokuthula Mpofu, Loreta Moyo, Precious Jasi

200m

Under-14: Mitchell Mulophe, 2. Sukoluhle Dube, Samantha Ndebele

Under-16: Oreta, Tinotenda, Sipho

Under-18: Tholani, Sisa, Vennah

Under-20: Nomagugu, Thandeka, Nokukhanya