Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HEAD coach for youth and junior teams Briad Nhubu has described the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe Junior Championships as a success.
The meet took place at White City Stadium in Bulawayo on Saturday and attracted some of the country’s top juniors.
Being the final selection event for the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games and Africa Under-18 and Under-20 Championships, it produced some exciting and encouraging performances from the athletes.
“The competition was just a resounding success because the turn-up was very huge.
“It gave us the opportunity to select athletes from across the country because all the 10 provinces were represented.
We are so excited that most of the athletes who performed very well in the Nash (National Association of Secondary Heads) national finals also managed to maintain their performances by being the first in the races they participated in,” said coach, Briad Nhubu.
Some of the outstanding athletes include Watershed’s Kimberly Kachambwa, who emerged tops in discus women final with 34.42m throw.
Kachambwa was part of the youth athletes that represented Zimbabwe at the previous Africa Under-18 and Under-20 Championships in 2023.
She got a silver medal in the Under-18 (youth) discus.
Other outstanding athletes were triple jumper Leeroy Chishaya from Musariri High School, who emerged tops with a 14,30m leap while Tatenda Chindowa from Prince Edward School managed 2,01m in high jump.
Long jumper Moillar Makamu won the women’s event with a 5,35m jump. She went on to clinch the title for triple jump with 11,23m leap.
In track events, Evans Kereke from All Stars, also had a good day as he crossed the finishing line in 4minutes 00,19seconds while Cheetahs’ Tawananyasha Chimunya won the men’s 100m in 10,63 seconds.
Chimunya, also bagged gold in the men’s 200m, in 21,28 seconds.
Shalom Sendi got the women’s 100m title with a time of 12,58 seconds. Sendi made it a double, when coming first in 200m as well, in 25,74 seconds.
Nhubu acknowledged various sponsors who supported the championships.
“Also worth mentioning is that for the first time, this time around, the competition was well-supported by stakeholders from quite a number of corporates.
“There were quite a number of sponsors who came in to support the championship. The likes of NetOne, Econet, POSB, Lobels, among others,” said Nhubu.
National competitions director Manuel Mpofu, shared the same sentiments.
“It went very well and the attendance was overwhelming.
“And even the performances of the athletes, they did very well. It was quite good.
“We want to thank all the provinces for making sure that each and every club from their provinces managed to send athletes to come and participate in the event.”
“Now we are looking forward to upcoming events so that those who have already been selected, and those who are probably to be selected for other events continue to compete,” Mpofu said.
The selectors led by Nhubu, are now looking at finalising the team for the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games due to take place in July, in Namibia as well as the team for the continental meet in Algeria.
