It’s a ZITF sporting extravaganza!

Innocent Kurira

SPORT fanatics have not been left out of the fun at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo as a number of activities have been lined up for the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre grounds on Saturday.

A field of 20 athletes will take to the track for the ZITF Coca-Cola Four-Minute Mile Challenge final. The Coca-Cola Four-Minute Mile Challenge is an annual men’s competition with a pre-requisite time of four minutes and 31 seconds for one to qualify for the final.

Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) chairperson Watson Madanyika said they were ready for the event.

“The athletes are raring to go. We are hoping they will be spurred to record good times by the anticipated capacity crowd at the venue,” said Madanyika.

Wellington Varevi, who has won the race three years in a row, is yet to run under four minutes.

Last year, Varevi from Black Rhinos crossed the finish line in four minutes 15,82 seconds out of a field of 17 athletes. The time was slower than the four minutes and 13,64 seconds he ran to win the race last year.

Previously, he had won the race in 2014 when he was 18 years old and in 2018.

Last year, Godwin Katakura finished in second place with a time of four minutes and 17,71 seconds. Nyasha Mutsetse came in third after clocking four minutes and 18,61 seconds.

Athletes in the final include Freedom Banda, Munyaradzi Zizhou, Mthokozisi Mhlanga, Trust Chidomaya, Nkosilathi Ndlovu, Wellington Varevi, Tendai Zimuto, Trust Hove, Author Chitara, Nomore Wiriki, Bornface Jeki, Matthew Musirirevhu, Humphrey Kunaka, Trust Hove, John Muinde Tawanda Bvunzawabaya, Jonathan Chinyoka, Peter Chimukombe, Thabo Mapfumo and Andrew Ndlovu.

Later in the day, it will be time for the Ingwebu Breweries Tug-of-War National Championships which are sponsored to the tune of US$17 000.

The sponsorship has been increased from last year’s US$11 500.

Winners in both the men and women’s categories will each get prize money. Accompanying the prize money will be various non-cash prices that include medals, T-shirts and Ingwebu products.

2024 ZITF Tug Of War Draw

Ladies

Group A

Zesa Holdings, Air force, Mutare Prisons, Correctional Lions

Group B

BCC A, NRZ Byo, Ingwebu B, ZETDC Eastern

Group C

ZPC Munyati, BCC B, CBZ , Tsepete Tsepete

Group D

Glow B, Ingwebu A, Mutare City, ZB Bank.

Men

Group A