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It was around this time last year that South African athletics lost 110m star hurdler Lehann Fourie to the sport because he lacked financial support.
This week, 110m hurdles prospect Tshepo Lefete (23) is trying to raise funds on his own to participate in international events. He wants to try to qualify for this year’s International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championships – and the Olympic Games next year.
Lefete has been invited by the Irish Athletics Federation to compete in their major meetings in July.
City Press has seen the invitation, which confirms Lefete’s accommodation and travel levy are covered. But air tickets will be for his own account.
“I have done enough to get an entry to challenge in Europe. But I need funding to get there. A plane ticket will only cost R12 000 and I would welcome any donation,” said Lefete, who clocked a new personal best in a time of 13.57 earlier this month.
“I went to Sascoc [the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee] and they referred me to the ASA [Athletics SA] who then told me they don’t have any money.
“It’s very disappointing that the federation can’t help.”
The Free State-born sprinter needs to lower his time by 10 split seconds to meet the 13.47 standard entry mark for the 110m hurdles at the IAAF’s showpiece in Beijing, China.
Lefete must beat the August 10 entry deadline to earn a berth in Team SA’s track and field squad.
Fourie said his heart was bleeding for the former national junior record holder.
“It is truly sad to see these issues in our sport. Tshepo and I spent some time at the beginning of the year helping schoolkids. He is definitely a great prospect for next year’s Olympics and he needs all the support he can get,” Fourie told City Press this week.
“Hopefully he can get private sponsors to get him to Europe and this will give him international exposure. That will help him perform better on the big stage.”
Fourie (28) – London 2012 Olympic hurdler and current national record holder – was part of Sascoc’s operation excellence programme, which offers athletes financial, medical and scientific support.
“I lost my financial support after I got injured in 2013, and I decided to move on. It is important to make provision for life after athletics, to study hard and save as much as possible.
“I am an investment consultant in the financial services sector at the moment, finally putting the degree I got in the US to use.”
. Potential donors can contact Lefete on 082 601 4224 oremail him on tshepolefete@gmail.com
