Over the past years, the Athletics Club of the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has dominated athletics championships in Gauteng Province and consistently ranked in top three positions in national competitions. This has seen most of the athletes in the club being selected to represent the CGA.
This year, the club’s eighteen (18) student-athletes will compete in the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Cross Country Championship in Rustenburg, North West, on 17 September 2022.
The UJ CGA team comprises athletes such as Mariette Botha, Stephanie Vermeulen, Chanté Viljoen, Lebogang Ramela, Khanyisile Thwala, Jader De Wet, Boikanyo Motlhamme, Neo Hlalukane, Faith Mabhena, Simone Adams, Sisanda Dumisa, Simphiwe Mabuza, Ntombenhle Seabi, Nkosinathi Sibiya, Onkabetse Sebola, Chris Mhlanga, Phemelo Ntoe and Bhekizulu Khumalo.
“Honestly, the selection means the world to me. I have been training so hard for that very moment [to represent the province of Gauteng]. I’ve been preparing for cross-country since the start of 2022.
I even for trained cross-country during the track and field season. The long hours, morning and afternoon runs as well as the intense gyms sessions have aided me to being recognised. So, overall preparations were hard but really worth it,” said Simone Adams, a 1500m and 5000m specialist on both on track and field.
The selection of team comes after the CGA hosted the provincial cross-country championship on 20 August 2022 at the Kagiso Sports Complex in Krugersdorp.
The CGA team has a good record in the ASA Cross-Country Championship.