Plan afoot for return of road-running events in Gauteng
Athletics boss says they will meet with race organisers and clubs
Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) president James Moloi will engage race organisers to see how to assist them in ensuring that open road running events resume.
Speaking at the CGA annual general meeting at the Germiston Stadium on Saturday, Moloi, who is also the chairperson of road running at Athletics SA (ASA), said he sympathised with frustrated clubs that are unable to organise meetings due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Track and field events are back but it remains a challenge to organise road-running events as they must not exceed 250 runners and it costs a lot of money to organise races for a few runners.
The CGA has been vigorously agitating for the return, within Covid-19 compliance rules, of athletics competitions.
In February the region hosted the country’s first track and field meet in 2021 at Boksburg Stadium. In January, CGA hosted a successful cross-country championship with more than 50 runners in Kagiso, Krugersdorp.
“The Covid-19 impact was also felt by our clubs that organise races, however, as the province, we encourage members to keep the sport relevant through participation in approved virtual races. CGA will be engaging with race organisers to see how to assist in ensuring that road running resumes participation,” said Moloi.
“We will do our best to organise races so that our athletes can get the opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, in July.”
CGA will host its third league meeting of the season at the Boksburg Stadium on Saturday under strict Covid-19 regulations.
Meanwhile, CGA announced a threeyear sponsorship deal with Tsogo Sun Hotels at the weekend. It also has partnerships with the National Lottery, Spar South Rand, Nike and Qatar Airways.
External auditors confirmed that although the impact of Covid-19 had been felt throughout the country, the organisation had managed to reduce expenses for the period under review.
Ishmael Sebetoane of MWRK Accountants & Auditors, who presented the audited financial report at the AGM, expressed satisfaction with the internal controls in place at CGA.
We will do our best to organise races so athletes can qualify for Olympic Games