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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
AN athletics club based at a secondary school in Tsholotsho, Matabeleland North Province plans to hold the inaugural Landa John Nkomo Half Marathon race whose date has been tentatively set for October this year. Nemane High School’s Happy Feat Athletics Club, wants to stage the event in honour of the late Vice President and national hero Landa John Nkomo, who passed on earlier this year.
The race, which is expected to attract many top athletes from around the country, will be similar to the Gutu Marathon event which is held in honour of the late Vice-President and national hero, Simon Vengesai Muzenda.
The late Vice-President Nkomo had a soft spot for sports as evidenced by his occasional donations to various sporting disciplines and was one of the pioneers for the recognition of disabled sports in the country that led to the holding of the now annual Zimbabwe National Paralympic Games.
“We have just affiliated to the provincial structures of the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz).
“It is our wish to see athletics growing in Matabeleland North and by staging the Half Marathon in the late Vice-President’s honour, we feel we will be able to promote the sport and even attract sound corporate support,” said Happy Feat Athletics Club chairperson Xolani Mumba, who is also the sports director at Nemane High School.
Mumba said as a start, they will work on a budget of $5 000 that will cover administration and prizes.
“We have agreed to approach some business people within the province while also engaging the Nkomo family whom we think will be of great assistance as well,” said Mumba.
The Gutu Half Marathon has sound sponsorship packages with the first, second and third placed runners pocketing $2 500, $1 000 and $700 respectively.
According to Mumba, the race will start from John Landa Secondary School and finish at Tsholotsho Business Centre.
Naaz secretary-general for Matabeleland North Enock Ngwenya said the provincial leadership will work closely with the club to ensure a successful event befitting the status of the late vice-president.
“They have all our support and as the provincial leadership, we will work closely with them so that the event is a success.
“When we held a course in Tsholotsho, we encouraged them to have as many events as possible and the half marathon is one of them, which is good for athletics,” said Ngwenya.
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