Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
THE chairman of the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Athletics Board, Watson Madanyika, believes his team will do well at this weekend’s Inter-Provincial Athletics Championships at the University of Zimbabwe Track in Harare.
This is despite the fact that Bulawayo will be without some key athletes, who are taking part in a high-profile event in Botswana, set to host several international figures.
Madanyika said they will be sending about 30 athletes to an event featuring all of the country’s 10 political provinces and school children vying for slots for scholarships and international competitions.
“The team is strong; we are sending more than 30 athletes,” said Madanyika.
Methembe Tshuma, Rutendo Vushe, Thandazani Ndlovu, Dennis Hove, and Samukeliso Ndebele will be away in Botswana for the second leg of the Golden Grand Prix Championships.
“They have been invited to compete in Botswana in Gaborone in the Grand Prix; this shows that they are doing well and they have been recognised in Botswana,” said Madanyika of his province’s star athletes.
He also expressed delight that Ndlovu and another former Bulawayo athlete of repute, Dennis Hove, are both in the Zimbabwe team for the World Relays in Botswana next month.
“Our team is going to perform well without the big names because most of them train together and they are not far from the big names’ times,” said the buoyant chairman.
He said their absence will give upcoming athletes chances to prove themselves.
“We hope they will perform better and we are sending a youthful team, a majority of them below 23 years,” Madanyika said.
Among some of the hopefuls are: Prince Moyo (400m) 4789 seconds, Andile Hleza (100m) 10.88 seconds, Monalisa Bayani (100m) 12.10 seconds, Aleck Vhovha (high jump) 2.10 metres, Michael Mtungwazi (long jump) 7m, Michael Mtungwazi (triple jump) 14.80m, Olivia Lunga (200m) 23.20 seconds.
The athletes are expected to leave Bulawayo for the championships this morning. The Inter-Provincial Championships are a two-day competition.
