Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe competitions director Manuel Mpofu says they are on course in preparing for the National Cross Country Championships.
The competition is pencilled for Saturday at Bindura University of Science Education and will be used to select athletes who will represent the country at the World Cross Country Championships next year.
The deadline for submission of entries for the national competition is today. “It’s promising to be a very good event. Bulawayo have already sent their entries, Matabeleland North, the host province Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, Matabeleland South and also the bigger one, Harare province have also sent,” said Mpofu.
“Some are finalising because our deadline is 10 November, that’s when we are closing entries.” Mpofu said the door remains open to those that could not go through the provincial selection events.
“The whole idea is to say you did not qualify in your province, but you can sponsor yourself to go and participate where the event is going to be held. Come and be part of the event but you are not scoring because you are not running for any province.
“But if you manage to qualify and beat the time which is required for you to go to the next event you can qualify.”
Having already submitted entries, Harare province is confident of dominating the national meet again this year and is set to field a 21-member team to be led by coach Mavhuto Tumba.
“We are travelling with 21 athletes.
“We are fielding both boys and girls in the juniors, senior men and senior women.
“We were supposed to have a full team for all categories. But then other provinces are not fielding athletes in some of the age groups, such as the cadets — Under-16, so we realised that we will travel with athletes that will end up not competing,” said Tumba. They will be pinning their hopes on seasoned athletes that include Fortunate Chidzivo and Moses Tarakinyu. Chidzivo will be joined by Ethel Pangiso, Melody Kaseke, Brenda Njodzi, Patience Garauzive and Moreblessing Masvosve in the senior women’s 10km. Tarakinyu will lead the senior men’s team, including Wayne Kabondo, Peter Tauzeni, Raymond Makosvo, Greatmore Martin and Edington Mugodo. For the junior men’s 8km, they have Ndodana Paradza, Abel Phiri, Takudzwa Chisambara, Linclon Hegajaji, Briton Gatsi and Leeroy Mapfoche. Three athletes — Chantelle Mashonga, Christabel Muyeruza and Gladys Masawi — will represent the province in the junior women. Besides those that made the provincial team during the selection meet, other top athletes from the province such as Tendai Zimuto and Wellington Varevi, are also expected to be part of the field in Bindura.
However, they will not score for the province since they did not take part in the selection event.
“We are not sure of the number but there are some going on their own because you find that some of the top athletes did not participate at the selection event.
“Last time we dominated the event, so we are expecting to dominate again,” added Tumba.
Tumba will be assisted by Collen Makaza and Kimberly Chigwedere.
They will meet with the selected athletes on Wednesday and Friday ahead of their departure for Bindura. “Last week they were training with their coaches, but we are preparing to meet on Wednesday so that we can assess them during training to see if there is anyone who is injured or if there is anyone with a health condition. That’s what we are planning,” said Tumba.
