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From Dr Alan Nelson - WP Masters Bon Jour Mon Amie, May I. on behalf of both the WPM and BM, use this opportunity to, first of all, thank you and the whole SAMA Council, for the hospitality afforded us during our stay in Gauteng. Your personal attention, by way of making time to come and speak to us, was not only refreshing, but highly appreciated by all. Secondly for a well planned Championships, that did most of us(hic) proud. We left yesterday morning feeling tired, but definitely proud of being Master Athletes. Please convey our sincere thanks to all, and particularly Ansie and her LOC. You were all fantastic. We have a hard act to follow in 2010, but I have thrown my lot in with the youngsters in our team, and will help them to make the event a memorable one. Best regards as always, Alan. From Braam Botes - AVT Masters President/ Gauteng North I hereby want to congratulate you with the outstanding presentation of the National championship held at Pilditch stadium. I am really proud to be associated as member of the masters athletic federation. It was once again shown that everybody who is involve give their best to organize such a great event. As an athlete I want to say thanks to the officials which know exactly what their responsibilities was and know the rules by hand and enforced it. The officials strictly adhere to the program and that was why the whole program was running smooth, talking about the field events, don't know about the track. It was a great pleasure to participate in a competition which was running like a well oiled machine. Thanks for sending out the revised program so early so I could still make the necessary arrangements to accommodate the changes. It was so nice of you giving out such a big useful bag full of sponsored items. Thanks for having all the equipment for all the events available and well maintained. I can't give all the compliments without complaining about one thing. I heard that there was qualifying distances for the weight throw. I was not involve in such a incident, only heard it when collecting my medal that I would like to see it published with the other qualifying standards so that athletes don't feel embarrassed when collecting medals. If possible can you pass it on to me for distributing it under the athletes in my club. I decided to end my athletics career, that's why I did not participate the whole season in 2009, I only participate in the nationals due to a bet I have lost between Hannes Nel from AVT and myself. Due to such a excellent presentation I would like to thank you again for a such a high standard which you set which each athlete and spectator could enjoy. I am looking forward to see the same standard in the cape next year as I am newly motivated to participate full steam again. Regards Braam Botes From Barbara Nell - CGMA Dear Benoit I would like to compliment the Local Organising Committee on their hard work and efforts in preparing and holding the 2009 SAMA National Championships. I know that a lot of effort was put into the selection of a venue and ensuring the correct measurement of the Road Walk, which is much appreciated. However, I do have some areas of concern with regard to the Race Walks. I am of the firm belief that our National Championships should be conducted in a similar manner to what we can expect at the World Championships. It is very important that technical details are adhered to in this respect. For Race Walking, competent judges are there to make the competition fair for all participants. In future events we must ensure that there is a Disqualification Board which is clearly on display for all the walkers. We also need to ensure that the judges employed for the day are aware of their duties and can execute them confidently. We need to make sure that there are cyclists or runners conveying information from the judges to the Chief Judge in the road walk. I was a spectator this year due to an injury and it would appear from my observations that no athlete was given a warning or disqualification. It is most unusual in any race walking competition anywhere in the world for there not to be warnings and usually about 5% -10% of the field are disqualified. I think in future, if a province hosting our national championships, has difficulty in fulfilling the requirements of conducting the Race Walks, they should be willing to ask for help from other provinces and or the National Race Walking Coach attached to Athletics South Africa. I hope these comments are received in the constructive manner in which they are offered. Regards Barbara From Magdalena Tomlinson - KZN Masters Dear Gretha Thank you for a well organised South African Championship in Pretoria 2009. Kind regards Magdalena From Edmund Fourie - GN Masters Dear Sir, Being a Technical Official who were invited to officiate at SAMA 2009 I would like to add my egg to the basket. I can assure you that there is never a shortage of Officials who want to work at Masters meetings as the majority of us fall into the same age category and we enjoy doing it. We do realise that Masters do not like be called on a foul throw or jump but 99.9% of them participate in the spirit of the competition as well as rules and it is not unusual to get 15 handshakes in appreciation for our work when they move off to yet another event. We admire the passion for the sport displayed when every bit of effort is given to throw a hammer, weight or make a jump to the best of their ability and at times the pain when doing so is clearly displayed on their faces. I enjoyed the participation of a few Masters Athletes at the ASA Seniors in Stellenbosch showing the young ones that it can still be done many years after their "prime". As I check the rankings of our Masters Athletes as well as results of the different meetings, I do miss a few names when they do not appear the following season and mourn the passing of those no longer with us. To Braam, thank you for your kind words and I for one was extremely pleased when I saw your big frame coming into Pilditch and yes, I did miss your name on earlier results. To the LOC, call us whenever you need us and we will be there. Regards, Edmund Fourie AGN 6986 Last updated: 29 July 2009 |