PUPIL SHINES AT INDIGENOUS GAMES
A Breidbach girl has become the only hope for the Eastern Cape after both her teammates in the ladies’ category for the Drie Stokkies code were eliminated at the preliminary rounds of the 13th edition of the Indigenous Games Festival currently taking place at the Sheshego Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo. The 13-year-old Dellarise Christian, who competes for her second consecutive year at this level, has become the darling of the crowds as she remains in the race as the youngest athlete.
She represents the province with her sister Devonique Christian and Port Elizabeth resident Lisakhaya Jela. The first day saw the Breidbach Primary Grade 7 pupil qualify for 8m with Jela while her sister unfortunately fell out of the race.
The qualifying distance for day two was 9m which saw Jela eliminated while Dellarise qualified.
Her coach Desmond Coetzee is over the moon about her performance thus far.
“There are more athletes than last year, making the competition much tougher, but I am carried away with how Dellarise has adapted to the conditions and how she is performing with so much confidence,” Coetzee said.
When speaking to the GO! & Express, Christian said: “I feel relaxed, determined and more confident than last year and my wish is to stay injury-free for the upcoming stages and hopefully make it for the finals on Thursday.”