Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe juniors’ head coach, Briad Nhubu has said the upcoming inter-provincial championships will give them a clear picture of the athletes with a potential to punch tickets to the World Under-20 Championships.
The combined Senior and Junior Inter-provincial meet is slated for Saturday and Sunday at the University of Zimbabwe. One of the major competitions, the juniors are aiming for is the World Under-20 Championships.
So far two athletes — high jumper Tatenda Chindowa and sprinter Ropafadzo Mzondo have made the cut for the championships to be held in the United States from August 5 to 9.
“Probably after the 25, 26 April, inter-provincial we will have a clear picture of who is in good shape and who is looking forward to qualify or who will have qualified by then.
“But so far, of course, two have already qualified.
“And we are also going to be fielding a relay team comprising of six,” said Nhubu. Most of the juniors participated at the NASH National Track and Field Championships last month but with no electronic timing, Nhubu is hoping the weekend’s competition will give them a clearer assessment of those chasing qualification. The national association have indicated they are bringing in an expert from South Africa to assist with the electronic timing system for the championships.
“Those chasing qualification, I think they are there, but we cannot base much on the NASH results because that was not electronic timing.
“That’s why I am saying probably after the interprovincial championships, we will then have a clear picture to say who is very close to qualification and stuff.
“But I can say very good performance has been displayed by Ropafadzo Mzondo . . . He is doing very well.
“He, again, has managed to qualify for the World Juniors regardless of being an Under-18 athlete.
“Then the other one is a jumper, Tatenda Chidowa. We had him in the Region 5 Youth Games in Namibia. That was last year and, actually, he did very well.
“He was silver medallist. And he was still, again, a youth by that time. But this time, he is now a junior,” added Nhubu.
Other athletes they are pinning their hopes on include NASH National Track and Field Championships 100m champion Trey Chimunya, Arab Chimuchembere, Gift Khumalo and Tawananyasha Chakonda.
They are expected to be part of their provincial teams that will meet at UZ, where they will be out to chase qualifying times.
“Most of these athletes are doing very well in terms of training and also being motivated by the fact that quite a number of athletes have represented Zimbabwe at World Junior, so they are also aspiring to make it.
“And also looking at the fact that there will be electronic timing as it is being promised, we think that will be an opportunity for them to also qualify.
“Just participating at home is a little bit different from being away from home. There will be some kind of motivation that they have their peers, they have their training partners to cheer them so that they can make it. “I think the performances are going to be of very good standards,” said Nhubu.
All provinces have confirmed participation at the event.
