Keeziah Essop from Queenstown Girls High School has finally been selected to the Border U16 athletics (Bora) team to participate in the Athletics South Africa Youth, Junior and U23 Track and Field Championships in Cape Town which started yesterday and finishes tomorrow.
Keeziah who is only 15, will be competing in the 200m against the best U16 talent in the country after she missed selection to the high school nationals by a whisker two weeks ago, at the Rec Athletics Track.
Even though missing out on the nationals to be held in Bloemfontein next week, this Bora selection more than makes up for that disappointment.
Keeziah is only 15 and some in the athletics fraternity believe that this kind of exposure and experience will go a long way towards preparing her for a long and hopefully, successful career in athletics.
The slightly built sprinter who runs like the wind, will relish the opportunity to rub shoulders with the best of the best among South African athletes and return with results that will underline her immense potential in the event.
“We expect her to give her best and improve on her personal best times —this competition won’t be a walk in the park as the best athletes across South Africa will be there,” said proud father Leroy Essop, when his daughter’s selection was confirmed.
Other athletes selected are Luyanda Buller for the 10,000m walk, Qhama Nombeleko for the 500m walk —both from Ndlovukazi High School, Uhlanga Kelepu pole vault and Joshua “Josh’ Jordaan both from Queens College — 200m and 400m.
PHUMELELE P HLATI
