Muscle men gather in Mthatha for chance to win national title
IT is all systems go for the Southern Africa Body Building Championships at the University of Walter Sisulu in Mthatha tonight at 6pm.
And not even the sporadic FeesMustFall protests will stop the event from going ahead, confirmed WSU’s Professor Mlungiseleli Jadezweni in a press conference yesterday.
According to him, the WSU students in Mthatha had resolved not to strike but engage with management in the boardroom. As such, no disruptions are expected.
The event will pit some of the best muscled men in the country against each other, including reigning Mr SA Mike Adonis.
Some of the athletes showed a face at the presser held at the Mthatha Stadium yesterday and as expected, the ladies in the conference room enjoyed the view but apparently that is nothing compared to what will be on display tonight – a blockbuster of a show.
But men alike were inspired, with department of sport, recreation, arts and culture (Dsrac) committing to work hard in the gym to at least be able to compete with these muscled fellows one day.
KM Sport Promotions boss, Khaya Majeke, who is the organiser for the championships tonight, said what would define the show as a success would be the legacy it leaves behind for the people of Mthatha and the immediate benefits to the city.
In this regard, he said more than 100 people from outside Mthatha had booked into hotels and B&Bs in Mthatha.
KM Sport yesterday donated to four schools cricket kit in honour of the late struggle stalwart O R Tambo, who is said to have played the sport.
The athletes tonight will not only be vying for the R50 000 grand prize for the overall winner.
This competition will also serve as a qualifier for the Arnold Africa 2017, which takes place next May.
The event will also serve as a platform for the launch of the so called national body building platinum league, where only the crème de la crème will make the cut.
The show received glowing endorsement from Dsrac, O R Tambo District Municipality and WSU, who are official partners.
Dsrac senior manager, Bafundi Makubalo, explained their involvement in the champs.
“As Dsrac every year we invite proposals of all major sport events in the province to make presentations to us and among the things we look at is that those events must also talk to the question of geographical spread. This just proves that not all big events must take place in PE and East London,” said Makubalo.
“The presentation of KM Sport therefore spoke to what we want to see, making Eastern Cape the preferred destination for the staging of big sport events by all and sundry.
“But when these events happen there must be a contribution towards sport development in the areas where they are hosted.”
The municipality’s Nomthandazo Mdledle said they were pleased to be hosting the event for the second time in a row, with Jadezweni saying there was no reason why the show cannot be the flagship of the municipality.