Free State athletes have been hit hard by the loss of international certification for the Free State Athletics Stadium in Bloemfontein, which was revoked by World Athletics last year. Attempts to regain certification have since been rejected due to the poor condition of the facility and tartan track. Much-needed upgrades, including a complete overhaul of the track and field, have been repeatedly postponed, reportedly due to a lack of support from authorities.
Local athletes continue to train and compete at the venue, but the times and performances achieved there are not recognized by World Athletics. Free State Athletics (FSA) has held several meetings with the Mangaung Metro Municipality (MMM), Athletics South Africa (ASA) and other stakeholders to discuss the status of the stadium and the steps required to regain certification so that seniors, school and para-athletes have equal opportunities to qualify for national and international events.
“We need an accredited track so that our times and achievements can be recognized by World Athletics,” explained Free State Athletics Track and Field President Odessa Swarts. “I would say that we are working with a non-existent stadium because we need to re-build the entire facility – something that we have already presented to the municipality,” said Kagiso Moletsane, general manager of FSA.
Swarts added that quite a bit of work is needed, both in the javelin area and in the long jump. “Our track requires a complete upgrade, which we have been asking and advocating for with the municipality for the past four years.” The Sasolburg facility has also reportedly seen its certification lapse, forcing parents of athletes to pay for travel to other provinces simply to record official times. This leaves less privileged athletes even further behind, despite their clear potential.
Beyond the athletes, FSA believes Bloemfontein is missing a significant economic opportunity. “There is the potential to organize regular national championships, which would boost the local economy,” Moletsane said. “We predict that there will be about R1 billion of economic injection over the next ten years if these events can happen.”
Young athletes are especially hard hit. Times recorded at non-certified tracks are ignored by international bodies, costing senior athletes prize money and student athletes the opportunity for overseas scholarships. “World Athletics is only looking for a certificate – they don’t take into account the actual condition of the stadium,” Moletsane explains. “They will not compromise or say: because of the condition of the track we will take your time into account.”
“How unfair is this to our athletes?” Swarts asked. “They all miss opportunities and are not recognized internationally.” She added that FSA must submit motivation letters to ASA to have local data recognised, claiming the national body is refusing to grant access to its official timekeeping system. Bloemfontein Courant is yet to receive comment from ASA.
FSA is calling on the MMM, the Free State Ministry of Sports, the National Sports Minister, ASA, and potential new partners to work together – ensuring the province’s athletic talent is no longer wasted on an uncertified track.
Warren Hawkins
www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za