Micah Matava has become the first learner of Altena Primary School to participate in the South African Schools Athletics (Sasa) Primary Schools Athletics Championships.
The athletics meeting was held from Thursday 20 and Saturday 22 March, and the sprinter travelled all the way to Germiston in Gauteng, to prove his mettle against the best primary-school runners in the country.
Micah took part in three events, finishing fifth in both the under-10s 80 m and 100 m race. He also collected a silver medal as part of the Western Cape under-10 relay team.
Asked how it felt to be the first athlete from Altena Primary to represent the province, the Grade 4 learner simply shrugged and mumbled: “I don’t know.”
Delfton Abrahams, sports coordinator and a Grade 7 teacher at Altena Primary, said this answer characterised Micah perfectly, as he is known throughout the school for his gentle demeanour and natural speed. “Even after winning these medals Micah has remained humble about his achievements.”
The teacher discovered the diamond in the rough at the school’s inter-house athletics meet, held on Saturday 20 January. Here he left his competition in the dust. After seeing Micah’s God-given ability, Abrahams knew he had a talent on his hands.
The following week, Micah once again showcased his agility at the Strand inter-schools, allowing him to compete at the Western Cape Metro East Education District (MEED) athletic competition.
“I realised that Micah has a problem; he can’t run straight,” Abrahams said, jokingly.
He put Micah on a rigorous training regime, which saw him attending practice every Tuesday and Thursday after school to improve his core.
All the training paid off when Micah sprinted through the MEED competition, qualifying for the Western Cape Primary Schools Championships in Paarl on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 March.
At the provincial meet, he claimed a bronze in the 80 m event and silver in the 100 m, earning his Western Cape athletics colours in the process.
“I want to be an athlete and if I get to represent South Africa, I will be very happy,”
Micah Matava
This is only the beginning for young Micah, as he aspires and dreams of becoming an Olympian one day. Abrahams and the Altena family are ready to help him realise this dream.
You must be logged in to post a comment.