daniel chigunwe
Ellina Mhlanga in Ndola, Zambia
HEAD coach for youth and junior teams Briad Nhubu says he was satisfied with team Zimbabwe’s performance at the just-ended Confederation of African Athletics Under-18 and Under-20 Championships, in Ndola, Zambia.
Zimbabwe, fielding a team of 22 youth and 28 juniors got seven medals – three silver and four bronze. Five of the medals came from field events.
The five-day competition ended on Wednesday.
“The team has performed very well considering the level of competition. It’s a continental competition and some of our athletes, especially the Under-18s were experiencing international competition for the first time.
“Regardless of all these other challenges, they had actually put up a brave fight and it was quite pleasing to see that almost all the athletes who participated in the 200m, 100m and 400m managed to proceed to the subsequent event and some of them managed to pull through to the finals.
“So, in terms of performance the athletes actually worked hard and represented us very well,” said Nhubu.
He added that the event provided their athletes, in particular the youth, a learning opportunity and was an eye-opener for them since most of them were competing at this level for the first time.
In track events such as the 100m and 200m, most of the athletes made the semi-finals and finals. Some improved their times and others posted personal best times.
The likes of South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ethiopia dominated the competition winning most of the events at both junior and youth level.
“Generally looking at the level of competition, it was a very high level of competition which featured most of the giants in Africa and also even in the world.
“A team of 22 youth and 28 juniors; it was quite a good representation and in terms of accruing the medals, yes, it’s really a huge achievement because medals are not easy to come by. Even if we are going to be looking at the medal table, quite a number of countries have never achieved even a single bronze medal,” said Nhubu.
Captain for the Under-20 women, Naomi Musindo said they did their best as a team.
She came fifth in shot put but improved her personal best from 10.78m to 11.25m.
“It has been quite a good experience. I really enjoyed it and I should say that this is the best team I have seen so far. They are quite a fighting team and they did really well, I am really impressed.
“There are a lot of things we need to work on, more training. Mainly I think we need resources that can further improve on the team. But overall, I am quite impressed.
“As for my personal performance, I wouldn’t say I was disappointed but I was quite happy because I moved on to a new personal best from the last one that I had. But I am hoping for the best in the future,” said Musindo.
Panashe Nhenga, captain for Under-20 men shared the same sentiments.
“I am elated to be captain of such a great team that scooped seven medals at a continental event. It’s not easy, when you get on the continental stage.
“I have noticed something, as Zimbabwe we are very talented in the field events and we scooped more medals in the field events, which is something that we need to keep on pushing. And we are also good in the relays, especially the 4x100m.
“So, I think as a country we need more support on that and we need to get more training in those events,” said Nhenga.
Online Reporter