First year BEd in Foundation Phase Teaching student, Lethabo Sibiya, won a Gold Medal in Long Jump and is still over the moon about his achievement.
“I love long jump and one day I want to see myself playing for the ASA team and representing SA. I’m excited about the results because I only had four days to prepare.
Sibiya says he did some exercises at the gymnasium and this included running early in the morning for an hour before class and later in the evenings.
B.Agric Honours in Agricultural Extension and Rural Resources management student, Dennis Nyalungu, won a gold medal in shot-put and a silver in the 400m. Though they didn’t have enough time to train on campus, he started preparing while he was still at home.
“I didn't allow any obstacles to impede me from training. I trained in the morning for speed and endurance and in the evening I exercised for strength at my local gym in Acornhoek,” he says.
Nyalunga is passionate about athletics and started at the age of eight. He says UMP made it all possible. The university providing the sports stars with transport and made sure that the athletes were registered to compete and paid for everything.
“They also assisted us by introducing us to other athletes across the province. They made sure we were well taken care of, and provided us with excellent service.”
List of the winners:
- Gold Medal: Zanele Mdluli.
- Gold and Silver Medal – Long Jump 1: Zanele Khumalo
- Gold- Shot Put and Silver – 400: Dennis Nyalunga: Senior Men
- Gold Medal – 100m: Aplhina Mathebe: Girls u19
- Gold – 200m: Zanele Mdluli: Senior Women
- Silver – 100m: Angel Manana: Senior Women
- Bronze Medal – Long Jump: Lethabo Sibiya: Senior Women
UMP Sport and Recreation is committed to provide an environment that allows students to have a vibrant student life through sporting and recreational activities. Students are continuously encouraged to participate in sporting activities and also towards the introduction of new sporting codes. The promotion of recreational activities includes indigenous games such as incuva, kgati, morabaraba, and diketo.
UMP currently offers Athletics, Football (males and females), Netball, Volleyball (males and females), Basketball, Supa-Pool, Tennis, Cricket, Rugby and Chess. Students who are interested in joining any UMP sports team are encouraged to do so by contacting the Mbombela Sports and Recreation officer, Mr Hendry Matonsi.
Tel: 013 002 0027 or 082 359 5907
Email: Hendry.Matonsi@ump.ac.za
To join the cricket team, send an email to: Manelisi.Kilani@ump.ac.za
@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied.