Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
BULAWAYO Metropolitan Athletics Board chairman Watson Madanyika believes the city’s leading athletes are ready to step forward and make their mark when the new season begins. With several major international championships lined up across the continent next year, he says Bulawayo has the depth, structure and talent to produce athletes capable of representing Zimbabwe with distinction.
“We have worked hard in development over the years. We have ensured that competitions from primary level are manned by adequately qualified personnel and that the events are run at acceptable standards comparable to any in the country. We have qualified coaches and event managers who ensure all our activities at competitions and training are up to scratch. We want to be the best, we want to restore our glow,” said Madanyika.
He said Bulawayo has benefitted in recent seasons from hosting national competitions, a run that has given local athletes invaluable exposure at the highest domestic level.
“When you host, you have high numbers of athletes being exposed to national competition. Our boys and girls have been beneficiaries of that and already we are assured of a number of events next year,” said Madanyika.
Madanyika expects his athletes to hit the ground running when the season opens with a track and field meet at White City Stadium on February 7. Three weeks later, Bulawayo will again take centre stage as host of the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe Inter-Club Championships at the same venue.
Despite the activity, Madanyika feels the city is still not fully utilising the infrastructure at its disposal. Bulawayo has two tartan tracks — one at White City and another at the National University of Science and Technology — facilities he believes should be buzzing with competition and training throughout the year.
Among his leading prospects for 2026 is sprinter Methembe Tshuma, who clocked season-best times of 10.43 seconds in the 100m and 21.29 seconds in the 200m. Tshuma represented Zimbabwe at the African Junior Championships in Nigeria.
Thandazani Ndlovu is another name high on Madanyika’s list. The 400m runner owns a personal best of 46.59 seconds and represented the country at the Southern Region Track and Field Championships.
After a long lull, the 800m has produced a fresh middle-distance contender in Makota, who runs for Zimbabwe Republic Police Athletics Club and holds a personal best of one minute 51.02 seconds.
Andile Ndlovu is also tipped for progress. The sprinter has a 100m best of 10.79 seconds and is viewed as an athlete with room to grow.
Thembelihle Sibanda impressed last season with a smooth 58.84 seconds in the 400m. Madanyika believes that with sustained work and stronger competition, she could push towards the level of Vimbai Maisvoreva, the only Zimbabwean to dip under 55 seconds for the one lap in recent years.
Madanyika also pointed to hurdler Lethubuhle Ncube in the women’s 400m hurdles with a best of 61.85 seconds, Aleck Vhovha in the men’s high jump at 2.10m, Azile Tshuma in the girls’ high jump at 1.60m, Leyon Makarati in the men’s 400m at 48.56 seconds, Rutendo Graham in the girls’ javelin at 37 metres and Rutendo Vushe, who was part of the Zimbabwe team at the World Universities Games in Germany this past August.
“I believe they can all do better. There are some who are rising and will want to stamp their authority. As always, we expect our marathon hero Isaac Mpofu to continue shining,” said Madanyika.
