Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’s dreams of featuring at the World Relays now hang by a thread — all eyes are on the men’s 4x400m team after a dramatic near-miss at the Botswana FNB Golden Grand Prix in Gaborone on Saturday.
The much-hyped event turned into heartbreak for the sprinters, as a thin turnout in relay categories sabotaged their final shot at qualifying for the global showdown in China set for 10-11 May.
The clock was ticking — Saturday’s meet was the last opportunity, with the Sunday deadline looming large.
Zimbabwe’s 4x400m men’s team sits 28th in the world rankings — just within the top 32 needed to secure a ticket to China. But with events happening worldwide, staying in that sweet spot is far from guaranteed.
“We were ready to put up a fight, but with only two teams on the track in the 4x100m — us and one other — the qualifying chance just wasn’t there,” said an insider close to the team.
It was more of the same disappointment in the mixed 4x400m relay, where Zimbabwe came second to Lesotho. Not good enough.
Despite the poor turnout, the event was officially sanctioned by World Athletics — meaning there’s still a glimmer of hope.
Now, the nation waits with bated breath. Did Team Zim do just enough to sneak in, or will the dream be dashed at the wire?
derick.khumalo