New Tartan track paves the way for athletic glory
Next level. That is where the newly-built Tartan athletics track at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) promises to take local athletes’ performances.
The track is a first for the Lowveld.
The province’s only other Tartan track is located in Secunda.
It was only recently completed, at a cost of R15 million. The local track was funded by the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) as part of a greater development at the university.
Total funding amounted to R27 million, of which R14,9 million was for the eightlane athletics track.
Construction started in October
2017. According to Ndivhuho Mafela, stakeholder relations, marketing and communications head at the commission, it is aimed at providing “for the holistic development of students in support of academics. A diversity of sporting facilities also promises to attract students to the university”.
Aside from athletics, the sports codes to benefit include soccer, tennis, netball, volleyball and basketball.
Mafela explained that other additions will include cricket nets, filter and irrigation systems, re-grassing the two fields, construction of multipurpose hard courts and the installation of movable pavilions and sporting equipment.
Locals are excited about the athletics track. DP Badenhorst, Hoërskool Nelspruit’s throws coach, called it “heaven” for senior athletes.
His charge, Phil-Mar Janse van Rensburg trained there before his recent participation in three meets in Europe. It made a big difference: Badenhorst explained that his javelin runup at the school is only 23 metres, whereas the Tartan track’s is standard - 32 to 36 metres.
“It is an injection into the Lowveld giving athletes facilities where they can put the finishing touches on their preparations for national meets,” he added. “It is worth gold to us.”
While a number of athletes have already started training there, it is unclear exactly who, and under which circumstances and conditions, will be able to make use of the facilities. UMP spokesman, Themba Manana, told Lowvelder that he was unsure whether they will host national competitions and which athletes will be permitted to use it. According to
Rob Ferreira High’s principal Dawie Oberholzer, the use of the track will no doubt benefit local athletes.
“If you can host the regional and sub-regional meetings there, the Ehlanzeni track athletes will already have improved times.”
The school itself has long dreamed of building a Tartan track of its own. Oberholzer said they will have clarity later this year whether they will go ahead with the plan.
“We want to promote athletics,” he said. “Some things will work only for us and some things will work for everybody.”
It is an injection into the Lowveld giving athletes facilities where they can put the finishing touches
on their preparations