Linda Moreotsene
Linda Moreotsene
Athletics Gauteng North's talent identification programme continues to bear fruit with one of the poorest clubs successfully hosting a top-class event over the long weekend.
Modiba Gold, a club from Olievenhoutbosch, hosted its first cross-country race at Fountains Valley, and the race surpassed all expectations.
The club is run by 42-year-old David Modiba, an unemployed Olievenhoutbosch running enthusiast, who has 120 athletes on his books.
Andre Golbey, deputy chairman of AGN cross-country, said he was amazed with the impact the club has made in a short time.
"Hardly a year after starting, 38 of Modiba's athletes have represented the province at the national championships.
"That says a lot about David and his dedication to the sport," Golbey said.
Modiba, himself a former athlete who took part in big races such as the Olympics and the Two Oceans race in his heyday, spends most of his time trying to produce athletes capable of winning Olympic medals.
"An Olympic medal is something that I could never achieve, so now I even go to local schools to help out teachers with coaching. My dream is for one of my kids to take part in an Olympic race one day," Modiba said.
This weekend, the league race is hosted by the Centurion Athletics Club and it takes place at the Littleton engineering works tomorrow.
New athletics club on track for success
Linda Moreotsene
Linda Moreotsene
Athletics Gauteng North's talent identification programme continues to bear fruit with one of the poorest clubs successfully hosting a top-class event over the long weekend.
Modiba Gold, a club from Olievenhoutbosch, hosted its first cross-country race at Fountains Valley, and the race surpassed all expectations.
The club is run by 42-year-old David Modiba, an unemployed Olievenhoutbosch running enthusiast, who has 120 athletes on his books.
Andre Golbey, deputy chairman of AGN cross-country, said he was amazed with the impact the club has made in a short time.
"Hardly a year after starting, 38 of Modiba's athletes have represented the province at the national championships.
"That says a lot about David and his dedication to the sport," Golbey said.
Modiba, himself a former athlete who took part in big races such as the Olympics and the Two Oceans race in his heyday, spends most of his time trying to produce athletes capable of winning Olympic medals.
"An Olympic medal is something that I could never achieve, so now I even go to local schools to help out teachers with coaching. My dream is for one of my kids to take part in an Olympic race one day," Modiba said.
This weekend, the league race is hosted by the Centurion Athletics Club and it takes place at the Littleton engineering works tomorrow.