Long-distance runner Glenrose Xaba was a top performer on Thursday, at the ASA Senior Track and Field, Combined Events and Relays Championships at the Msunduzi Athletics Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.Picture: Supplied
All eyes are on the Msunduzi Athletics Track where Athletics South Africa’s (ASA) Senior Track and Field Championships are being held with some of the country and world’s to,p champions participating.
Television cameras and national media were out in full force at the prestigious event.
The three-day event is a boon to local tourism and the hospitality sector given the large audience the event has drawn.
Stars including Akani Simbine, Wayde van Niekerk and Clarence Munyai are some of the top athletes.
KwaZulu-Natal Athletics media officer and local organising committee member, Mandla Mngomezulu, said the first day on Thursday had gone on with no hassles.
“We kicked off smoothly and expect our next three days to go ahead as planned,” said Mngomezulu.
Dumisani Mhlongo, director of the Msunduzi Pietermaritzburg Tourism Association, welcomed the event and its positive impact on tourism and the economy.
Msunduzi mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla said the municipality was honoured to be hosting the athletes and visitors to the city. He thanked both KZN Athletics (KZNA) and Athletics South Africa for showing confidence in the city.
“When we hosted the SA Junior Championships last year both KZNA and ASA noted the fact that our athletics stadium is a world-class facility and that we have the capacity and capability of hosting major events. We are very happy that they listened to us,” said Thebolla.