Ihlathi to host inter-zonal cross-country competitions

Province in the national cross-country competition set for Gwanda on 17 February.
For the past decade the cross-country zonal and inter-zonal competitions have been held at Ihlathi in Tshabalala as the school has always proven to be more capable to run the event and has a good course for the race.
Nash chairperson responsible for athletics Pilate Tshuma confirmed that preparations were well under way and that Ihlathi has always risen to the occasion in terms of successfully hosting the competition.
“The date for the zonal competition has been set for 3 February at Ihlathi High School and this is the venue where we have been holding the cross-country competitions for the past years and they have always been at their best in terms of hosting this tournament.
“The best competitors will then represent the Bulawayo Province in the national competition set for Gwanda on 17 February,” said Tshuma.
The Ihlathi course saw athletes like Margret Mahohoma – who has risen to national stardom and has won several competitions in distances of up to 42km – make their mark.
Others who went on to be athletes of note are Singazi Dube, Fritty Moyo, Busi Nyoni, Sibusisiwe Nyoni and Nokuthula Munkuli who came from rural Matabeleland North to not only dominate the province, but went on to star at national level.
Secondary school sport is the gateway to senior athletics as some of the schoolchildren have gone to represent the country while still students.
These competitions provide a platform for clubs to scout for fresh talent but of late poor administration and waning interest nationwide has seen fewer stars being churned out.