Cross country running will play a major part in these plans and the four full strength teams departing today to the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Amman, Jordan, will herald the start of the new strategy.
The preparation of the team, unlike previous years, already took a different turn this year. Team members in the provisional squad participated in the Yellow Pages Series, Southern Region Cross Country Championships in Mauritius as well as at the Yellow Pages SA Senior Championships.
Immediately after the final selection of the team, team members went into a short training camp at Potchefstroom and ASA obtained the services of a well-known coach from Kenya, Danson Gichure, to assist the team in its final preparations. Mr. Gichure will also accompany the team to Jordan and on his return will submit his assessment and recommendations for the way forward to ASA.
“In future teams for the World Cross Country Championships will be announced one month in advance and team members will immediately go into a training camp to prepare for the World Championships” said Leonard Chuene, ASA President.
ASA plans to organize a meeting with local coaches after receipt of the assessment and recommendations of Mr. Gichure to procure their support to ensure the success of the new strategy which could lead to new found success for the country in middle and long distance running.
Included in the four teams are some of the best middle and long distance athletes in the country and consist a mixture of athletes with experience of international cross country running and new talent.
1. Boy Soke AFS
2. Stephen Mokoka AVT
3. Tshamano Setone CGA
4. Sibusiso Nzima CGA
5. Jeffrey Gwebu CGA
6. Kgosi Tsosane ACNW
1. Lebo Phalula CGA
2. Annerien van Schalkwyk AGN
3. Tebogo Masehla CGA
4. Myrette Filmater AGN
5. Lebogang Phalula CGA
1. Ashleigh Schnettler CGA
2. Letitia Saayman CGA
3. Maxine Heine Wacker AGN
4. Nandipha Dywili ATRA
5. Anneke Geldenhuys CGA
6. Zinhle Sinqe CGA
1. Sithyilo Diko ATRA
2. Mfumaneko Fadane CGA
3. Vuyisile Tshoba ACNW
4. Windy Jonas CGA
5. Joel Monne KZNA
6. Folavia Sehohle ATRA
