U'hage school boasts four in East Cape team

FOUR Uitenhage pupils from Hombakazi Primary in KwaNobuhle have proved their worth by being chosen for the Eastern Cape team to compete in the SA Junior Schools Athletics Championships in Cape Town on Saturday.

Grade 6 pupils Ayanda Khondlo, 12, Buhlebenkosi Selani, 11, and Xhantilomzi Mkhavu 10, as well as Grade 7 pupil Odwa Makuleni, 11, were selected for the team during the provincial championships event held in Mthatha last week.

The team will be leaving for the national event tomorrow.

The pupils' coach, Sibusiso Tu, said he was proud of his athletes because they had worked very hard for the provincial event.

"I'm very excited about their selection and I personally strongly believe they deserve to be selected for the provincial team," he said.

"They are disciplined young athletes and I can tell you that they are so happy too."

Xhantilomzi said he was looking forward to the event because it would be his first time competing outside the province.

"I'm not afraid to compete against other runners from other schools because I believe in myself," he said.

"I'm expecting to win."

Xhantilomzi came first in the province's U10 1200m event.

Buhlebenkosi, who came second in the U11 1200m event, said his target was a first place at the national championships.

Ayanda said she liked the high jump because it was easy for her. She also excels in long jump, coming first at the provincial event in the U12 category.

Odwa, who won the U11 1200m event, said he wanted to put his school on the map.

"We've been training very hard for the championships and we are hoping to win."

Sport coordinator Xolani Jacobs said it was not the first time the school had been represented at the national event.

"One or two pupils have been selected previously, but this is the first time four have been chosen all at one time." -