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FIREWORKS are expected at the National University of Science and Technology today when the athletics curtain of the 11th edition of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games comes down.Eleven final events for both men and women in the track and field events are set for the day.
Titus Madzingo, the Naaz director competitions and technical development said today’s events will start at 9am.
Yesterday the athletics programme started two hours late but that did not dampen the mood as spectators were treated to some interesting competition by athletes as they battled for medals.
Bhekuzulu Khumalo, the local organising committee general manager technical, said yesterday’s delay was caused by unavailability of starting lists.
“There were some challenges with regards to compilation of starting lists which was caused by the delay of delivery of stationery. When the secretariat finally got stationery, everything fell in place and the events went on smoothly. All the semi-finals were held today (yesterday) and we are within the programme,” said Khumalo.
Some of the events to look forward to on the closing day include the men and women’s 200m final and the 4x100m men’s relay competition where Harare, Bulawayo and Mashonaland East are favourites to win the races. Mashonaland East’s Michael Songore who has already won a 100m gold medal is tipped to take the 200m title but will face stiff challenge from the likes of Sean Banda of Bulawayo and Harare’s Lloyd Mhiripiri.
The three athletes are also part of their provinces’ 4x400m relay teams. Songore’s Mashonaland East Province go into the final day leading the athletics medals table with four gold, two silver and two bronze.
The province got two of their four gold medals yesterday from field events after Takudzwa Muchichwa came first after jumping two metres in the high jump final with the other one coming from Olivia Shavi who won the discus competition with a throw of 30.04m.
Other gold winners yesterday include Bulawayo’s Andile Khumalo who came first in the 400m race, 800m men’s final winner Nyasha Mutsetse and Midlands’ Tapiwa Chitsanga.
Results
ATHLETICS
Men 400m final: 1. Andile Khumalo, Bulawayo (48.60sec); 2. Tatenda Chindova, Harare (49.55sec); 3. Tafadzwa Nzuma, Mashonaland West (49.91sec)
Women 1500m final: 1. Enlitha Ncube, Midlands (4mins 36.47sec); 2. Maryjoy Mudjiravanji, Midlands (4mins 37.83sec); 3. Shylet Chiwara, Mashonaland Central (4mins 44.07sec)
Men 800m final: 1. Nyasha Mutsetse, Manicaland (one minute 51.76sec); 2. Ngonidzashe Musundire, Midlands (one minute 53.84sec); 3. Titus Nyathi, Mashonaland West (one minute 55.32sec)
Javelin women final: 1. Perceiver Ncube, Matabeleland South (38.70m); 2. Grace Ndlovu, Matabeleland South (29.82m); 3. Talent Ngachiwe, Manicaland (29.42m)
Triple jump men final: 1. Bhekisisa Tshuma, Matabeleland South (14.42m); Brian Mada, Manicaland (14.12m); Ronaldinho Sithole, Midlands (13.36m)
High jump men final: 1. Takudzwa Muchichwa, Mashonaland East (2.0m); 2. Moment Gorejena, Mashonaland Central (1.95m); 3. Prince Katuka, Mashonaland Central (1.95m)
Long jump women final: 1. Agnes Tumbure, Masvingo (5.07m); 2. Ivy Mazhazha, Mashonaland West (5.07m); 3. Millicent Linganya, Mashonaland Central (4.82m)
Discus women final: 1. Olivia Shavi, Mashonaland East (30.04m); 2. Abigail Muyambo, Masvingo (25.83m); 3. Laura Sibanda, Mashonaland South (24.75m)
Shotput women final: 1. Tapiwa Chitsanga, Midlands (10.55m); 2. Sitshengisiwe Musarurwa, Masvingo (9.74m); 3. Olivia Shavi, Mashonaland East (9.54m)
Medals table
Gold Silver Bronze Total
Mashonaland East 4 2 2 8
Midlands 3 3 2 8
Manicaland 3 1 2 6
Matabeleland South 2 1 1 4
Bulawayo 2 1 0 3
Masvingo 1 2 1 4
Mashonaland Central 1 1 3 5
Harare 0 4 2 6
Mashonaland West 0 1 3 4
Matabeleland North 0 0 0 0
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