Jean Verster, the manager of the NWU-Pukke High Performance Institute believes that some of their athletes are going to be the ones to beat come Varsity Athletics time.
Verster, who also coaches the middle distance athletes, is very excited about the chances of the NWU-Pukke athletes in this new event.
“Andre Olivier ran a 1:46:60 which was the fastest time in the world over 800 metres and Nijel Amos [Olympic silver medalist] has run the quickest 400 metre time in the world this year,” Verster told varsitysportssa.com.
These times were run in Potchefstroom and the squad is ready to take on other tracks all around the country.
“In the past correctional services, the military as well as the mining sector produced the majority of the athletes but recently universities and a few clubs have been holding athletics together,” Verster mentioned.
“This competition is exciting because universities are forced to develop athletes in different events – events that they previously would not have developed athletes in.
“The format is also exciting, the events are not always the same which means that universities are going to have to be diverse in the events that they cater for,” Verster added.
Another positive for Verster is the fact that there is so much scope for improving the entire competition.
“In a few years the competition can incorporate other universities which will force them to improve their athletics structures.”
The strengthening of structures in South African athletics will increase awareness at home but can also attract more international interest.
