adminPeter Phiri, Sports Correspondent
BULAWAYO Metropolitan Province will use tomorrow’s Bulawayo Track and Field Championships at White City Stadium to select the team for the Youth Games. Athletes from around the country will converge at White City for the athletics meet with most provinces expected to bring their best talent as the date for the Youth Games draws nearer.
Athletes from the Under-16 up to Open Level will compete at the championships.
Among the athletes expected to grace the event are 100m and 200m race star Michael Songori and Thulisiwe Zhou who competes in the 500m race.
Yvone Vanhuvaone who competes in the 400m and 800m expert Nyasha Mutsetse are among favourites.
In the long jump competition Presley Mabhena, Anesu Simango and Dulizweni Dube are expected to stamp their authority but a number of up coming jumpers have emerged and will have a say.
Nomagugu Ncube is the only high profile name in the long jump category and her dominance is likely to continue.
Edwin Manyengavana is another athlete whose dominance in shot putt is rising.
The Bulawayo Athletics Board chairman Manuel Mpofu said they are taking advantage of the championships to shortlist athletes for the August National Youth Games.
“The championships will offer us an opportunity to select our best team and even look at other emerging competitors. Aspiring Bulawayo athletes will also use this chance to impress the selectors and be drafted in the Youth Games team. We are expecting many athletes to come for the championships,” said Mpofu.
He is hopeful that Bulawayo will do well at the National Youth Games which they are playing host to.
Clubs expected to send their athletes for tomorrow’s championships include Sparrows, ZRP Fairbridge, ZPS Bulawayo, Shabanie Mine, New Zimsteel and Zim Club from Chegutu.
Online Reporter