Mulaudzi and Mokoena make season debut in Glasgow

Two of South Africa's reigning world athletics champions, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi and Khotso Mokoena will make their season debut at an international team meeting in Scotland, on Saturday.

The duo will take part in the Aviva Indoor International, an annual team event at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow.

Mulaudzi, the world outdoor 800 metres champion, and Mokoena, the world indoor long jump champion, will represent the Commonwealth select team as they take on the United States, Germany, Sweden, and Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Mulaudzi, who led from start to finish to clinch gold at the World Athletics Championships in Berlin last year, said his pre-season training had gone well and he hoped for a positive start to another busy season.

"Realising that this is an immense stepping stone in this era of our careers, Mbulaeni and myself have been quiet busy during the off-peak season preparing for this event. We are definitely thrilled and looking forward to the challenge, said Mokoena.

"It is indeed going to be one of our tough tests - from which our performance would be tried, but I guess it will also serve as a warm-up process - as we get ready for the World Indoor Champs in March."

Mbulaeni was announced as the team captain of the Commonwealth team in his first appearance at the event.

"This shows that South Africa is being recognised in the international stage; and having him as the Commonwealth Team captain really shows that the country has more than talent, and that the outside world has confidence in South African athletes.

"Without any doubt We are coming back with the honours - and not only representing South African athletes but the rainbow nation as well," added Mokoena.