Bab gears for Naaz Inter-provincials

THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) Interprovincial Championships are set to take place on June 8 at White City Stadium in Bulawayo.

The competition will feature athletes from all provinces and serve as a qualifier for the Africa Senior Championships and the Junior African Championships.

As Zimbabwe’s last qualifying event for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the African Senior Championships will play an important role in the development of the country’s athletes.

The African Senior Championships are scheduled for June 21-26 in Douala, Cameroon.

Naaz has set its sights on having athletes train using the Electronic Timing System (ETS) at White City Stadium to ensure accurate timing of events.

Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB) chairperson, Watson Madanyika, said his team is working hard to host a successful competition.

The ETS will be in use during the championships, enabling accurate timekeeping. In the past, the inter-provincials often boasted the presence of regional track and field powerhouses such as South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Mozambique.

“We expect to stage a successful competition and hopefully see athletes record good times. As the host province, we are now ready for the competition and we now have our team in place and they are training at their bases already,” said Madanyika.

Naaz has also encouraged athletes to train with the ETS to obtain accurate times and compare them to current distorted ones.

The system includes a wireless false start detector, windspeed ultrasonic wind measurement, Macphoto finish timing scoreboard, LED field scoreboard, starting blocks and video wall.

All participating provinces are expected to field complete teams, with any unfilled slots to be given to other athletes, especially juniors.

The ETS, installed for the 2014 African Union Sports Council Region Five (5) Youth Games in Bulawayo, has undergone repairs to its malfunctions, and is set to serve as a valuable tool for the upcoming championships.
Bulawayo team

100m: Samkheliso Ndebele, Methembe Tsuma, Calton Siwela, Mthabisi Dube, Privilege Bower

200m: Rutendo Vushe, Nancy Nyadongo, Dennis Hove, Calton Siwela, Methembe Tshuma

400m: Grace Mudonhi, Mzi Ncube, Hillary Nkala, Dennis Hove

800m: Lethubuhle Sibanda, Nokuthaba Zondo, Shyne Makota, Aaron Moyo, Goodwill Ingo

1500m/3000m: Esnath Ndlovu, Lesedi Nkomo, Andrew Ndlovu, Freedom Banda, Nozipho Ncube, Silenkosi Kaduni, Shelton Ncube, Bongani Sibanda, Tavonga Govo

5000m/10000m: Lesedi Nkomo, Nozipho Ncube, Trust Chidomaya, Andrew Ndlovu, Thabo Mapfumo, Tavonga Govo.

110MH/400MH: Happiness Dube, Priscilla Bhuda, Mthabisi Dube, Basil Jele, Eric Matonga, Anesu Chitumula, Grace Mudonhi, Vinny Mthambo.

High jump/long jump/triple jump: Awakhiwe Mdlongwa, Onye Onovo, Brandon Mukwena, Crispen Ntoto, Rutendo Vushe, Sukoluhle Mlalazi, Ryan Dube, Aubrey Bishaow.

Javelin/discus/shotput: Sukoluhle Mlalazi, Prince Makuna, Tafadzwa Mhlanga

Coaches: Benson Mwanza, Ndumiso Mabena, Jamaine Chilufya. — @innocentskizoe.