adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
DEFENDING champions in the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe Inter-Provincial Championships, Harare, are hopeful they will retain their title when provinces converge at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo today.
The two-day meet set for today and tomorrow will also feature athletes from Botswana.
Participants will compete in all track and field events.
Harare Athletics Board secretary, Silas Muringani, said they were hoping to field 50 athletes in the various events.
“We are more than ready because we have put together a strong team headed by provincial coach, Amon Nyaundi, Wellington Zingwe and Aaron White.
“Our chances, I can say, are over 60 percent because it’s only our province that has hosted quite a number of competitions this year and because of that our athletes are in better shape,” said Muringani.
Naaz president Tendai Tagara said the meet will be used for qualification to the World Junior Championships in the United States next month and the Africa Senior Championships in Morocco.
“We have invited Botswana specifically for the electronic timer because we are targeting the World Junior Championships in the United States and the Africa Senior Championships in Morocco.
“These two competitions need electronic timing and Botswana have the equipment. They are also using it as a qualifier for the same events that is why we moved the competition to Bulawayo so that it’s closer to Botswana,” said Tagara.
Tagara said in an effort to ensure that all provinces take part and everyone is afforded the opportunity to compete, the national association is catering for 20 athletes from provinces that are far from Bulawayo.
“Naaz has sponsored 20 athletes from Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Harare. They will be assisted by the national association to travel.
“Those in the Southern Region we felt they are near but next year when we host it in Harare we will support those provinces that will be far.
“However, provinces like Harare have the resources to send some of the athletes but at least we are making sure that we have athletes from all provinces.
“Each province will give us their athletes and we provide them with transport.
“We are having the competition over two days so that we have enough time to compete. We are targeting the 4x100m relay, 4x400m and individual events.
“We have some who have already qualified like Michael Songore, Enlitha Ncube and Titus Nyathi for the World Junior Championships but we want one or two more to qualify.
“For the seniors we are challenging local athletes to say this is the opportunity to qualify,” said Tagara
Botswana arrived in Bulawayo in the early hours of yesterday ahead of today’s competition while Namibia, who had shown interest to take part, did not confirm their participation.
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