Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

The IAAF Kids Athletics and Youth Programme, which is aimed at introducing children to the sport at an early age, was kick-started in Tshwane last Thursday amid euphoria among the young athletes.

The programme is also aimed at ensuring a steady and sustainable policy of athletics development at grass-roots level. It is intended for kids from clubs and member provinces of Athletics South Africa (ASA), and for pupils from schools committed to the development of the sport.

The programme, which is conducted by Malek El Hebil, senior manager in the member services department of the IAAF, is being held at the High Performance Centre in Tshwane and ends tomorrow. Hebil is assisted by Loretta Marthinus.

Molatelo "Professor" Malehopo, ASA's development manager, whose association is hosting the course, said they had drafted 48 kids as demonstrators for 24 coaches and educators who are attending the programme.

"We expect the coaches and educators who will succeed in this course to train their colleagues in their provinces on what they had learnt in Tshwane," Malehopo said.

"They should also impart their knowledge to as many kids as possible to augment our development drive at grass-roots level. It is ASA's intention to train more educators and coaches as instructors who will run this programme in their respective provinces. It is also our aim to roll out the programme to the primary schools throughout the country," he said.