“Athletics is a beautiful sport that unites society,” says Gail Motlhaudi, lecturer in Sol Plaatje University’s (SPU) School of Economic and Management Sciences and member of the Athletics Griqualand West (AGW) board since March 2022.

Given her dual roles as SPU academic and AGW Additional Member for Marketing and Media, Motlhaudi sees her appointment to the AGW board as an opportunity to bring SPU and the AGW – “two provincial giants” –  closer together and create a mutually beneficial partnership.

Her appointment holds great significance to her, as she has been an active athlete competing in some of the country’s best marathons. “I feel privileged to now cross the threshold onto the administrative periphery,” she says. “I envision the AGW as serving as a conduit for athletes from grassroot level to elite athlete level, and from primary school level to university level and beyond. We must develop and support our athletes through strategic partnerships. The enabling support from influential institutions such as SPU, the development of the sport of athletics through coaching, and access to sport and academic bursaries will help ensure that the province preserves talent and top-performing athletes.”

Motlhaudi sees it as her duty to facilitate the achievement of such a strategic partnership between SPU and the AGW federation through its infrastructure and human capital support offerings available at SPU.

As a member of the AGW board she hopes to advance athletics in the province, firstly through the development of athletes so that potential and talent is cultivated; secondly, through educating athletes and increasing their awareness of the rules and policies of sports so that they do not find themselves wanting when it comes to competitive events; thirdly, through building technical capacity of referees, officials and coaches so as to preserve the integrity of the sport; and, finally, through forming strategic relations with key stakeholders such as SPU, “because it is only by working together that our aspirations will be realised”. 

Her message to the youth is to “get involved” in sports – as athletes, but also as administrators – because sport administration also needs young blood in order to transform and keep up with a rapidly changing world. “As the youngest board member of AGW I can attest to the benefits this has had in my own personal life, mentally, physically, socially and professionally.”

SPU is proud of Ms Motlhaudi’s achievements, and wishes her well on her four-year tenure.