INDABA | WEDNESDAY 3 DECEMBER 2014
Judoka Babalo Magqabi to represent Nelson Mandela Bay in Zimbabwe NCEBA DLADLA NELSON Mandela Bay Judokas continue to shine on the world stage. The latest judoka to put the city on the map is 19 year-old Babalo Magqabi. Magqabi, who is included in a very strong South African team, jetted off to Zimbabwe on Monday to take part in the Zone 6 Youth Games involving the SADC countries from Friday, December 5 to Sunday, December 7. The Port Elizabethan is placed at number one in the South African Judo rankings in his category (55kg under 20 years). He started Judo in 2003 under Budokwai Judo Club coach Sensei Mhimhi Magqabi. The club is based at the Lilian Ngoyi Sports Centre, Kwazakhele. “It is affiliated to the Nelson Mandela Bay Judo Association which is part of Judo South Africa and the International Judo Federation,” said Sensei Mzingisi Magqabi. Sensei Magqabi thanked Nelson Mandela Bay Executive mayor Oom Ben Fihla for supporting the sport which is now reaping the rewards. “Babalo is one of the Judo players who were assisted by the office of the Executive Mayor with sponsorship in order to take part in the National Ranking Events so that he can collect points to be invited in the National trials,” said Sensei Magqabi. He said that it is in taking part in the national ranking events that a judoka is respected, honoured and ranked high in the world. Babalo Magqabi is due back in the country on Tuesday December 9.
Highly rated Nelson Mandela Bay judoka Babalo Magqabi (19) will fly the SA flag in Zimbabwe at the Zone 6 Games this week.
PHOTO:SUPPLIED
SPORT
Heroes Marathon in Qunu to attract national and international athletes NCEBA DLADLA THE 2014 Heroes Marathon, a Transkei flagship event which will take place in Mthatha on Tuesday 16 December, was launched at the Boardwalk ICC last Thursday. The event, according to MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Pemmy Majodina was started in 1999 in the former Transkei. “The event is used to commemorate heroes and heroines coming from the Eastern Cape, The Home of Legends and is celebrated on the Day of Reconciliation,” said Majodina during the launch. Explaining why the event was launched in Port Elizabeth in Nelson Mandela Bay whereas it was taking place in Mthatha in the King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality, the MEC retorted, “We are one province. This is not a Transkei but an Eastern Cape event which is open not only to Eastern Capebased athletes but to others from across the country and including SADC countries like Lesotho, Botswana and Malawi.” Furthermore, according to Majodina, they wanted to dispel the myth that government did not sponsor events of such magnitude taking place in the Transkei and that road running was not only for urban areas. The DSRAC sponsored R2 million Heroes Marathon was aimed at attracting a mixture of tourists to the province as it was linked to the
Liberation Route which touches base at Qunu where former State President and liberation struggle hero, Nelson Mandela’s world heritage burial place is, said Majodina, adding that this was for the first time that the race takes place whilst Madiba is not there. “Madiba used to support this marathon hence we have not changed its start in Qunu,” said Majodina, adding that they were encouraging mass participation with this sport event as sport was a catalyst for nation building and social cohesion. She said the event which promotes a healthy life-style will call for a generational mix involving the youth, the veterans, the masters and grand masters also taking part. “There is something exciting for the athletes as well,” said MEC Majodina about the huge prizes on offer which will be equal between men and women: R90 000 for men and women who come first, R30 000 for coming second and R20 000 for third position in the 42,2 km. “But also, the Heroes Marathon will be a family event with fantastic and jam- packed with with exciting entertainment. The organisers expected 2000 participants in the 42,2 km, 10 km and the 5km races this year compared to the 1000 that registered last year. The 5km fun run was described as a family event which will encourage finishing the race rather than winning it.
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