'This contract is a result of the performances I produced last year' - Leeto joins Hollywoodbets AC

In a bid to dominate South African road running this year, Hollywoodbets Athletics Club has added Mathews Leeto to a growing list of elite athletes. The 32-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough 2022 season, where claimed a silver medal at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) national 10km Cross Country Championships and stunned many athletics fanatics when he took fourth place at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY JOBURG 10k.

Leeto joins a purple team which has already strengthened their squad considerably with the addition of top runners such as 50km World Record holder Irvette Van Zyl. Leeto who is on his way to represent South Africa at the World Cross Country Championship to be held in Australia later this week, has penned a 1 year contract. Before Leeto was running under the colours of Nedbank Running Club.

Hollywoodbets AC have announced the signing of Mathews Leeto. Photo Credit: Hollywoodbets AC.

"I'm happy to join a growing club with good intentions for athletes," said an elated Leeto. "This contract is a result of good performances I have produced on the road especially last year. I had a wonderful year which I think was the result of the hard work I have been putting in during training. Throughout my career, I have committed to take everything seriously so that I can succeed."

The man from Zeerust in the North West says this new contract will make a big difference to his life. "I think any athlete can tell you that shoes, entry fees and traveling to races costs a lot of money. So to have a club that will assist me in all of these essential things comes in handy. Plus, I'm the bread winner at home with a two younger sisters and a mother that I have to take care of. So this money will make a huge difference in my life."

Leeto in the bunch of heaven at the 2022 Absa RUN YOUR CIT JOBURG 10k runnign shoulder to shoulder with eventual winner Nicholas Seoposengwe. Leeto would end up taking fourth place in 30:02. Photo Credit: Anthony Grote.

Joining Hollywoodbets means that not only has Leeto left the Nedbank Running Club, but it also brings his relationship with coach Pio Mpolokeng (a long-time servant of The Green Machine) to an end. The pair had been working together since the beginning of last year and Leeto says he will name his new coach soon.

"I'm no longer working with coach Pio. He has contributed much to my growth as an athlete. He was more than a coach to me but a father figure to my life. I'll announce a new coach after I have done with World Champs," he said.