Linda Moreotsene

Linda Moreotsene

Preparations for the SA Youth and Junior Championships tomorrow and on Saturday are on track.

This is the view of Athletics Gauteng North, who had to step in and rescue the event after it was moved from Polokwane.

Athletics South Africa blew its top last month and transferred the event to the LC de Villiers stadium in Tshwane, after facilities at Peter Mokaba stadium were deemed unsatisfactory to host the championship.

All 18 athletics provinces will be competing in different track and field events, hoping to dethrone defending champions AGN.

AGN, Central Gauteng Athletics, Free State and Boland are expected to make an impact again this year.

Athletics Gauteng North general manager Walter Vilakazi says the province is humbled by the confidence ASA has shown in them.

"This shows that ASA believes that we are capable of delivering a successful event, even at such short notice," Vilakazi said. "We are confident we can rise to the occasion, and in any case we hosted another event similar to this one only two months ago."

The advantage for AGN is that they get to select as big a team as they want, since they do not have to spend on transportation and accommodation of athletes.

ASA said Polokwane knew about the championships last April, but were not ready last month.