By BAKANG MOKOTO
13 March 2025- Young North West athletes were on the rampage as they broke eight records during the Provincial School Sports Athletics Championships held at McArthur Stadium, Potchefstroom between 6 and 8 March 2025. Amongst the best performing athletes were Amogelang Moeng and Jordan Denike.
This comes after Moeng clocked 1:56.54 in 800m for boys 15 and 4:14.2 in 1500m for Boys 15, breaking both Ronan Oosthuizen’s previous records. Jordan Denike ran 0:55 in the 400m for Girls 15, breaking Isone Booysen’s previous record (0:57.24). Denike (43:17) also broke Kayla Van Der Berg (43.21) in 300m Girls 15.
The North West Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation spokesperson, Shuping Sebolecwe said Manders Jaydeen (12.27) equalled Nicola Van der Merwe’s record in 100m for Girls 15. Sebolecwe said in the Boys 15 High Jump, Galane Khothatso soared 1.80m to equal Ronan Oosthuizen’s previous record.
“Boitumelo Nchoe did very well during the LSEN category, breaking the record for 100m Girls 15 years 14. These champions participated in track and field events such as Javelin, Discus, Short Put, Long Jump, High Jump, Triple Jump as part of the partnership between the department, Department of Education and Provincial Sports Federations.
“School sports is the bedrock of sport development and its primary aim is to ensure that all the schools are afforded an opportunity to participate in at least one sporting code,” he said.
Sebolecwe further said the programme seeks to address all the barriers of entry that are currently inhibiting participation in school sport through provision of the requisite support and competition opportunities. He added that the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District performed very well and scooped 1st position with 1159.5 points, Bojanala came second with 929 points.
“The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati occupied 3rd position with 511 points and Ngaka Modiri Molema District got 4th position with 471.5 points,” said Sebolecwe.
The Chairperson of School Sport Athletics, Mooketsi Moshwadiba said: “We are happy that all the events during the Provincial School Sports Championships went very well without any hiccups. Athletes from across the province came in numbers to partake in the games.
“I would like to encourage schools both mainstream (Secondary and Primary) and Learners with Special Educational Needs (LSEN) to take part in school sports which are important for a learner’s physical fitness, social skills, academic and character development.”
Meanwhile, one of the gold medal winners Bokamoso Moabi from Zeerust Hoerskrool was ecstatic and could not hold back his joy.
The Guardian 