Athletes Indaba is set to welcome the return of the OPEX programme
Return of OPEX to dominate Athletes Indaba
The return of the Operation Excellence (OPEX) programme is expected to dominate the upcoming Athletes Indaba between the SA Sports Confederation and Olympics Committee (SASCOC) and top South African athletes on Saturday.
In an interview with SABC Sport, Athletes Commission chairperson Khotso Mokoena revealed that, after a three-year wait, the Athletes Indaba is set to welcome the return of the OPEX programme, which is designed to offer support to athletes with the potential to qualify and earn medals at major championships.
“Operation OPEX is the main topic the athletes have because it was ceased for a little bit. But, because of the great work of the SASCOC board and CEO, OPEX is finally coming back for the athletes, and I think that’s a positive thing,” said Mokoena.
“If you look at it, economic-wise, I think the whole world was suffering – more so us, the African countries, in terms of sports. Therefore, I think because of the hard work that has been put in by SASCOC, there is that light that OPEX is here again and athletes can look forward to being part of the programme again.”
Mokoena – an Olympic silver medalist from Beijing 2008 – believes not having OPEX in the past three years affected the country’s performance at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and recent track and field championships.
“You can look at the Commonwealth Games as a stepping stone to the Olympic Games, and obviously OPEX plays a huge role in terms of preparing athletes,” he added.
“I was part of OPEX as well, and SASCOC tremendously helped me through that – as well as Athletic South Africa – at the time, so it really does play a huge role.
“That is why we’ve always wanted to make sure that OPEX is there, because it really does lift the weight off the athletes’ shoulders. It contributes a lot towards building up towards Olympic Games.”
By Velile Mnyandu
Source: SABC Sport
Return of OPEX to dominate Athletes Indaba
The return of the Operation Excellence (OPEX) programme is expected to dominate the upcoming Athletes Indaba between the SA Sports Confederation and Olympics Committee (SASCOC) and top South African athletes on Saturday.
In an interview with SABC Sport, Athletes Commission chairperson Khotso Mokoena revealed that, after a three-year wait, the Athletes Indaba is set to welcome the return of the OPEX programme, which is designed to offer support to athletes with the potential to qualify and earn medals at major championships.
“Operation OPEX is the main topic the athletes have because it was ceased for a little bit. But, because of the great work of the SASCOC board and CEO, OPEX is finally coming back for the athletes, and I think that’s a positive thing,” said Mokoena.
“If you look at it, economic-wise, I think the whole world was suffering – more so us, the African countries, in terms of sports. Therefore, I think because of the hard work that has been put in by SASCOC, there is that light that OPEX is here again and athletes can look forward to being part of the programme again.”
Mokoena – an Olympic silver medalist from Beijing 2008 – believes not having OPEX in the past three years affected the country’s performance at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and recent track and field championships.
“You can look at the Commonwealth Games as a stepping stone to the Olympic Games, and obviously OPEX plays a huge role in terms of preparing athletes,” he added.
“I was part of OPEX as well, and SASCOC tremendously helped me through that – as well as Athletic South Africa – at the time, so it really does play a huge role.
“That is why we’ve always wanted to make sure that OPEX is there, because it really does lift the weight off the athletes’ shoulders. It contributes a lot towards building up towards Olympic Games.”
By Velile Mnyandu
Source: SABC Sport
