Despite having dominated the school’s athletics scene for more than three decades, Mondale has failed to establish a culture of athletics in the Mitchell’s Plain area, mainly due to the lack of an athletics track, says Val Raynard, the school’s sports and athletics co-ordinator.

Mondale dominated the weekend’s Southern Zone A-section championships, at Green Point Stadium, with a top of the table tally of 694 points, beating their nearest rivals, South Peninsula, by a 100 points.

From left, Mondale High athletic coaches, Val Raynard, Melvina McEwan and Kurt Rabie, gather for a group pic during Saturday’s Southern Zone Section-A championships, at Green Point Stadium

Raynard, who has dedicated his energies to preparing athletes for all of the 19 years he’s been at the school, says authorities have failed the youth of Mitchell’s Plain, but it’s no use sulking.

“We have begun plans to build our own athletics track at our school, because enough is just enough,” said Raynard.

He said authorities have promised so much but have delivered nothing, yet schools in the area have to compete with more affluent schools on the other side of town on both the academic as well as on the sports field.

“Facilities, especially for athletes are non-existent and what we have noticed is that when the football season starts, we have to use school facilities rather than municipal grounds because it’s not properly maintained.

“But we cannot allow this to continue and hamper our gains. We will be building a track even if it’s a four-lane track we have embarked on the project to come to fruition within the next year or so,” he added.

Raynard, adds that if authorities are serious about sport and preparing athletes to compete at the higher level, then it would be imperative for a tartan track to be built in the area where more than 500 000 residents live.

He added a tartan track would also help establish a track and field club in the area for athletes to pursue careers in athletics.

“At the moment, as soon as a talented athlete hits Grade 12, he or she is virtually lost to the sport,” said Raynard.

Sarah Kamish of Mondale in action during the girls under-19 400m event at the Southern Zone A-Section high schools athletic championships, at Green Point Stadium, on Saturday. finishing in 1min06.14sec. Picture: Mark Ward