That mentality has driven him to create a meet that is not about his name, but about the future of South African athletics.“ I will be running. Yes, I ' m the director of the meet, but I need everybody to understand that this meet is not about Akani. It ' s not about me, it ' s not about my surname, it ' s not about the logo. It ' s about them and the future of South African athletics and what I ' m trying to build here in South Africa.”
The timing is deliberate. With the World Relays scheduled just a few days later in Botswana, many international athletes will already be in South Africa. Simbine wants the Classic to be the race they choose to sharpen up before heading north.
“ There are guys that we ' ve been speaking to … it ' s going to be really good. It ' s going to be a world-class event. Trust me.”
Media Director for the Simbine Classic Themba Madima explained:“ When we look at the resurgence of athletics in South Africa, you can feel in the atmosphere that the athletes are ready to do something great.
“ South Africa has been looking for a while, waiting for that opportunity where we can actually host competitions of this stature. And I mean a Continental Tour Silver, which is the one that we ' re hosting here, is a good opportunity not only for the athletes here that always have to travel overseas. But now, instead of having to travel to other parts of the world … right here at home in South Africa, they have an opportunity to run at a meeting that is in their home.”
For 400m star Zakithi Nene, who was part of the 4x400m quartet that claimed bronze at last year’ s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, it’ s personal.“ I think as an athlete, I ' ve always sought an opportunity to showcase my talents on home soil,” he explained.“ I have a lot of people always asking me when am I racing in South Africa? Because they always watch me on the Diamond League Circuit. And I think now just being afforded this opportunity to come out here, showcase my talent, gain some big ranking points leading up to my European season, I think it’ s a good meet to have, especially at this time of the year.”
The meet being afforded silver status means that it must consist of 12 events( with at least one jumping and one throwing event). 120 local and international athletes will be contracted to take part, and World Athletics stipulates that a minimum of US $ 75,000 in total prize money must be made available, making key sponsorships vital.
Another important part of the event for Simbine is showcasing South Africa to the world.
“ The reason for doing this meet is to showcase it so that the guys from here are able to show the world that this is where we live, this is where we train, this is how we do it. And when you see how we do it, you ' ll appreciate why it ' s so important for us when we come that side.
“ And for me, it ' s just making sure that the guys are able to experience the beauty of our land and the diversity of our country and how we do things in South Africa, not just what they think South Africa is like. But come to South Africa and see how it is here and the beauty of it here."
For all the vision and objectives behind the event, Simbine remains a competitor at heart.“ I am still hungry. I am still here. I am still running stronger, faster than ever, so not leaving the game yet,” he reckoned.
“ I love competing, I love racing, I love being on the stage and showing up for South Africa and always taking myself to the world and saying that, you know, South Africa can do it. I feel like I ' m still going to be here for a while. I ' m still enjoying the sport, I ' m still enjoying running, and my job ' s not done yet.”
A win in front of family and friends against some of the best in the world on home soil would certainly prove that point.
Get your tickets at: https:// itickets. co. za / register / new / 485863
Simbine( centre) with four of the bronze medallists in the 4x400m at last year’ s World Athletics Championships who will be competing at the Simbine Classic: From left, Zakithi Nene, Leendert Koekemoer, Gardeo Isaacs and Lythe Pillay.
Simbine Classic programme:
4.40pm: Shot put( men) 4.50pm: Long jump( men) 5pm: Javelin throw( women) 5pm: 110m hurdles( men) 5.10pm: 100m hurdles( women) 5.20pm: 3 000m( men) 5.35pm: 300m( women) 5.45pm: BackSports 300m( men) 6.05pm: Avanti 4x100m relay( women) 6.15pm: Avanti 4x100m relay( men) 6.25pm: 100m( women) 6.35pm: 100m( men) 6.45pm: 4x400m relay( men)
The team behind the Simbine Classic: From left, Wesley Botton( Media Manager), Themba Madima( Media Director and co-organiser), Akani Simbine( Tournament Director), Manus Hendriks( Technical Director). www. modernathlete. co. za 7