Online ReporterEllina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HARARE province coach Mavhuto Tumba is confident they will defend their title when they host the National Cross Country Championships this Saturday at Allan Wilson School.
The national event will see provinces fielding teams in the senior’s category — men’s and women’s 10km race.
The junior men will battle it out in 8km while junior women are up for a 6km race.
For entertainment and development, there are 1km and 2km races on offer for the Under-12s and Under-14s respectively, as well as a 2 km race for 40-year-olds and above.
The reigning champions will be missing most of their regular senior athletes, but Tumba is positive they will retain the title.
“We don’t have many expectations because most of the guys that are doing cross country are not the usual senior guys we are used to.
“Some of the seniors are going for another event. But we are ready as a province.
“The chances of defending the title are still there, and they are very high because the guys we have, I am sure they are ready. They are much more prepared; that’s what I can say.
“We are fielding a full team. It’s something that we are ready to do because since we are the ones hosting, I don’t think there is any difficulties or challenges in terms of fielding a full team,” said Tumba.
The Harare province coach said the absence of the senior athletes also presents an opportunity for other upcoming athletes to showcase their talent at this level.
“And also, the other thing is, it also gives a chance to some of the guys who were not able to showcase their talent in the previous cross-country events since some of the seniors are not going to be available.
“It’s an advantage to the upcoming athletes,” said Tumba.
Harare Athletic Board secretary general Sledge Chinyoka, who is in charge of registration, confirmed five provinces — Manicaland, Midlands, Bulawayo, Mashonaland West, and Harare — have submitted their teams.
“The rest, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, and Masvingo, have not yet submitted their entries.
“The deadline was yesterday, and they have not yet submitted. But we can still accommodate the late en-tries,” said Chinyoka. “In terms of preparations as the hosts, we are at an advanced stage.
“A team should have a minimum of four athletes to score points, both men and women, seniors and juniors.
“We are looking at close to 200 athletes because we also have the 40-plus participants, Under-14 and Un-der-12 athletes. This is just for entertainment.
“But for scoring points, only seniors and juniors will score points.”
The national championships serve as a selection event for the World Cross Country Championships.
“The top athletes for the seniors represent the country at the World Cross Country Championships.
“That’s the objective of this event, to select Zimbabwe’s representatives at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships,” Chinyoka said.
The event is held on a rotational basis in the different provinces.
