adminMehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
SPRINTER Nigel Tom is struggling with a hamstring injury which could affect his performance at the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe Interprovincial Track and Field Championships at White City Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.
The two-day event in Bulawayo will be used to select athletes to represent Zimbabwe at the Africa Youth Olympics in Algeria, World Junior Championships in Finland, African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games in Botswana and Africa Senior Championships in Nigeria.
For athletes who fail to qualify locally, they have a chance to make it to the events in Botswana where Zimbabwe have been invited to that country’s National Championships to be held in Francistown on 19 and 20 May.
Tom suffered the injury ahead of last Sunday’s Track and Field Championships at White City Stadium. He said he started feeling the discomfort in the days leading up to the competition. The injury stopped him from running the 400m as he only ran the 200m.
“It just started during the week but I didn’t think too much of it then when I ran the 200m I felt pain during my race then didn’t push too much and after the race I couldn’t walk.
“I could feel it big time and that’s why I didn’t run the 400m and with this I am not sure if I will be able to run nationals, that’s why I need treatment and be told by professionals how bad it is and if I can be better by the time we go for the nationals,’’ Tom said.
The Body Works Gym athlete is appealing for assistance in order to see a physiotherapist since he cannot afford to do so.
Faith Dube, another athlete won both her 100m as well as 200m races at White City last Sunday and is looking to represent the country in Nigeria.
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