adminLovemore Zigara Midlands Sports Correspondent
MAGLAS Stadium in Zvishavane will play host to the Midlands Cross-Country Championships on Saturday where over 15 clubs are expected to take part.Midlands Athletics Board secretary, William Chuwa said 10 clubs and schools have already confirmed their participation in the event.
Chuwa said schools had been registered as clubs at the championships to add to the competition.
“As Midlands we’ll be holding our provincial cross-country championships at Maglas Stadium on Saturday and so far about 10 clubs among them Shabanie Mine, Zisco, Mandava High School and Chegato High School have already confirmed their participation.
“We’ve placed schools in the same category with clubs because we want them to be as competitive. We’re hoping to come out with competitive teams which will represent us well at the national championships,” he said.
The national cross-country championships have been set for Kadoma on February 14 where the winners will represent the country at the regional championships which will be held in Malawi later this year.
Veterans Luwis Masunda and the lanky Elmore Sibanda are expected to provide competition and will be among the race favourites with Kudakwashe Shoko and Wirimai Juwawo.
Maryjoy Mudyiravanji who took part in the Africa Union Region 5 Under- 20 Championships is a clear favourite in the women’s category.
However, more will be expected from athletes who have been taking part in the Zimbabwe National Youth Games where the province has become a powerhouse in athletics.
“The young athletes are slowly coming up and we expect them to give stiff competition to the veterans and we expect them to qualify for regional competitions so that they can gain experience at that level,” Chuwa said.
Online Reporter