This statement is nothing new but South African athletics remain a sad state of affairs. Luckily there are those who realise this and are prepared to go out of their way to try and make a difference.

One of these unsung heroes is definitely Pio Mpolokeng of the Nedbank Running Club in Central North West, who is actively involved in identifying young talented athletes in rural areas. But his contribution does not stop at that.

With the help of NB Sport Mpolokeng has started a unique programme that selects nine young athletes and gives them proper training over the course of three years. They are also given ample opportunity to compete at various events.

In December last year Mpolokeng made his final selection of the nine athletes that he will be coaching for the next three years; the youngest is 14 and the oldest 16. The athletes will attend class at the Are-Fadimeheng Secondary School in Klerksdorp.

Nick Bester (NB Sport) has taken on the responsibility of paying for their school fees, school clothes and accommodation. That is not all. All nine athletes will receive running clothes and shoes and they are guaranteed of getting decent meals each day.

Bester and Mpolokeng emphasize that they are trying to adopt a holistic approach. 'I looked for disciplined athletes who relish the challenge of hard work and dedication. Naturally the emphasis is on helping them to become better athletes, but it is equally important that they excel in their studies,' says Mpolokeng.

What has been happening in South African sprinting over the last two years has been exciting. There is definite revival happening, as seen in the performances of Wayde van Niekerk (400 metres) and Akani Simbine (100 metres). Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about South Africa’s middle- and long-distance running.

At the Olympic Games in Rio Caster Semenya was the only South African middle-distance athlete to win a medal.
Mpolokeng and Bester believe that this is not a true reflection of South African athletics.

'Believe me, the last few years made me realise that South Africa has a lot of talented young middle-distance athletes. But the problem is that very few coaches are really prepared to go out into the rural areas to identify them and then get a programme started to help them to fulfil their potential,' says Mpolokeng.

'Hopefully one or more of the athletes we are working with will go on to represent South Africa at a World Championship or the Olympic Games. If that happens, it will be amazing.'