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Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN athletes have been presented with an opportunity to qualify for major international events when they take part in the inter-provincial championships at the National University of Science and Technology tartan track in Bulawayo this weekend.
Organisers of the race have gone out of their way to source an electronic timer and a wind gauge – both pre-requisites for the times and jumps to be ratified as good enough for other events.
The much anticipated National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe Championships will be held on Saturday and Sunday, an official confirmed yesterday.
Bulawayo Athletics Board chairperson Manuel Mpofu said:
“Botswana has promised to bring their electronic timer and wind guage which will make this event a big competition. Anyone who wants to test himself against the timer will get a chance”.
He said the stage is set for the epic event which will see Region Five countries such as Botswana, Namibia and Lesotho taking part.
“It is an honour to keep hosting such big events, we are challenging people to come in numbers and support this championship so that we keep the fire burning in the city in preparation for the Region Five Youth Games.
“The stage is set, we are just waiting for the weekend for the action packed event to start,” said Mpofu.
The competition will be used as a qualifier for the World Junior Championships and African Senior Championships which are set for Morocco later this year.
Namibian sprinter Ernest Narib is expected to spice up the event. He is set to face off with US-based Reinard Ndlovu and has a personal best time of 46.12 seconds in the 400m.
Other notable 400m runners are Nigel Tom and Conias Mudzingwa.
Tendai Zimuto, Maryjoy Mudyiravanji, Isaac Mpofu, Yvonne Vhanuvhaone, Andile Khumalo and Cuthbert Nyasango are some of top athletes excepted to grace the occasion.
Mpofu challenged all athletes across the country to come for the event.
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