“We have arrived,” said ASA president Skhosana ahead of Athletix Grand Prix
The Athletix Grand Prix is set to get under way when athletes from all around the world take each other on at Ruimsig Stadium on Thursday, 1 March.
Athletics isn’t always the first sport that comes to mind when one asks a South African sports fan which sport they would place at the top of their list.
However, Athletics South Africa (ASA) and Liquid Telecom South Africa are looking to change this mindset with the launch of the inaugural Athletix Grand Prix series coming up on Thursday.
“This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. We have arrived and are very excited about the journey that lies ahead,” stated ASA president, Aleck Skhosana, at a press conference held earlier today.
Liquid Telecom South Africa CEO, Kyle Whitehill, said, “In a country where rugby, soccer and cricket are so big, we are trying to promote and grow athletics”.
Also read: Athletics star Anaso Jobodwana highlights meeting at Ruimsig Stadium shortly after Bolt visit
In light of these efforts, Liquid Telecom and ASA have signed a contract binding the technology company to the Athletix Grand Prix series for the next three years.
“We are trying to encourage international athletes to come and take on the best athletes in South Africa,” Whitehill stated.
They seem to have done exactly that, with the likes of 10 000m world champion, Joshua Cheptegei, making the trip from Uganda to take on several South African stars in the 1 500m.
They have also managed to attract the American 100m star, Justin Gatlin, who will take part in the 100m at Tuks Stadium on 8 March.
For now, however, all eyes will be on the 200m event set to take place this Thursday in Ruimsig with a star-studded lineup challenging one another on the track.
The event will feature South Africa’s 200m star, Anaso Jobodwana; 300m U/20 world record holder Clarence Munyai; world U/18 200m champion Retshidisitswe Mlenga, and countless other superstars.
Munyai, who hails from Muldersdrift, ran a personal best of 10,1sec in the 100m at last week’s AGN Provincial Championships and is looking to get one back on Jobodwana, who managed a time of 10,07sec.
“I only ran the semi-final, and I ran a personal best, so on Thursday Anaso needs to watch out,” Munyai laughed.
Jobodwana’s time last week would have been his official personal best had it not been for the strong tailwind that saw the result not recognised. He intends to build on a really strong recovery from an injury he sustained in 2016, by showing Munyai who really runs the show.
“It’s good to be back, to be healthy, and on Thursday maybe it’s time to show Clarence a few things,” he stated during their friendly exchange of banter.
For those who would like to attend the Athletix Grand Prix on Thursday, main stand tickets will cost R50 for children under 16 years of age and R100 for those older than 16, while open stand and grass bank tickets will cost R50 for everyone.
The event at Ruimsig Stadium is set to start at 6pm on Thursday, 1 March, so don’t miss out.
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