ASA unhappy with cross-country squad

ATHLETICS South Africa (ASA) yesterday named a 20-member national team to the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda later this month.

However, ASA said they were not pleased with the quality of the team, something the national federation deemed a serious challenge.

ASA president Aleck Skhosana said there was an urgent need to address the challenge at a national symposium to be held prior to the start of the 2017 domestic cross country season.

“During this symposium, the ASA family will strategise how to improve the quality of the performances of cross-country athletes in South Africa,” noted Skhosana in a statement yesterday.

ASA will enter a team of five athletes each in all four of the categories: senior men and women, as well as the juniors.

The men’s seniors include African Championships 5 000m silver medallist Elroy Gelant, who finished 20th at the 2013 edition of the biennial showpiece.

He will be well supported in the 10km race by Thabang Mosiako, Joel Mmone, David Manja and Precious Mashele.

While the senior women’s team will be without some of the country’s elite stars, the likes of in-form athlete Kesa Molotsane and experienced campaigner Louisa Leballo, also competing in the 10km, will look to carry the national flag with pride.

The SA team also includes 10 of SA’s most promising distance runners for the junior men and women’s 8km events.