Limpopo athletics club nurtures rising school sports stars | Letaba Herald

TZANEEN – Nkowankowa Athletics Club, is one of the prominent and growing running organisations in the Limpopo region.

The club was established in 2016 by a former 400m provincial runner, Conride Shikwambana.

Development-focused athletics programme

What distinguishes it from other clubs, it does not only focus on road running, but developing athletes. It is a developmental club which equips youngsters.

Their dedication is seen in sports athletics and also road races. Some of their athletes who are doing well in school athletics include, Victoria Mnisi from St Georges College, who is a promising future star, Tumelo Hiliza, a Ben Vorster High School learner who competes with the country’s best athletes year after year, Ntsako Shivonivoni a Dr Annecke Laerskool learner, who obtained a silver medal during the national schools championships in Cape Town recently, and Mpumelelo Mabasa a Hudson Ntsanwis Secondary School learner, who has qualified to represent Limpopo in the 21km race at the Athletics South Africa National Half-Marathon Road Race in the Eastern Cape in June.

Another athlete from the club, Thato Seshoka will also be joining Mabasa in the national race.

Coaching philosophy and support system

Speaking to the Herald, Shikwambana, who is also the coach, says that their secret ingredient in running a successful and growing club is the support from the parents, and also by involving them int he administration of the club. He further added that the support of their sponsors helps sustain the club.

Training structure and development focus

They train at Nkowankowa Stadium during the week and on weekends, when they are not competing in races, they do road work and during the school holidays they conduct camps.

Upcoming ART Youth Challenge Road Race

The club will host their annual ART Youth Challenge Road Race on June 27 at Letaba Estate outside Nkowankowa. The race will have 1 mile (1.6km), 5km fun run, 10km and 21.1km distances. Those who want register can do so online on at www.entryninja.com and can call 082 273 6136 for more information.