Flawed facilities let Eastern Cape youth athletes down

Poor standards in stadiums mean talented young athletes' record-setting achievements cannot be officially recognised.

- By Riaan Marais

Performances by Eastern Province youth athletes will not make it into the record books anytime soon. Not because they don't perform well, but because the entire province does not have a facility capable of capturing their record-breaking efforts.

This came to light earlier in November when parents were notified that despite their children's exceptional performances, which qualified them to represent their province at the national championships next year, their records will not be recognised.

None of the three main athletics stadiums in Nelson Mandela Bay normally used for provincial-level events adheres to the international standards that would allow athletes' records to be officially acknowledged.

Although the government made promises that funding would be made available for one stadium to be upgraded in the near future, the province's athletics board said no timelines had yet been given.

The revelation came when athletes competed at the Eastern Province Athletics (EPA) High Schools, Seniors and Masters League in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Several athletes competing in different sporting codes in high school age groups celebrated new provincial records. But in the days that followed, they were notified that their records would not be recognised.

EPA confirmed that the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Madibaz Stadium, the Gelvandale Track and The Oval in Westbourne Road, Gqeberha, were not properly graded and could therefore not officially document record-breaking performances.

"We understand that several parents have lashed out and voiced their anger and frustration about this development, and we cannot blame them. Our province produces top-tier athletes, and through no fault of their own, their records will not be recorded," EPA president Selby Thabethe said.